Page 49 of For the Win

HARRISON

We win in Vancouver,lose in Calgary, a horrific six-one loss.Calgary’s out of the playoffs, which makes it even more humiliating.I’m a little annoyed actually, because I feel like I’ve been playing so well on the line with Pavel and Eddie, and tonight Coach moved Eddie up to the first line to give Jimmy a break and made Pavel a healthy scratch too.So was playing with Scotty and Olle, who are great but different.But it’s not about me and what’s best for me—it’s what’s best for the team.

Anyway, Calgary’s coming to our town next week and we’ll have a chance at redemption.The games are meaningless for us, but like I told Arya, now we’re playing for our pride.

I’ve had a lot to think about this week.The news about Dad, going out with Arya, the way she acted at the end of our date, and then taking off on a road trip.

The guys would laugh at me if they knew, but I did some yoga in my hotel room, since we had extra time.I use it to relax my body and turn off my mind.Of course yoga makes me think about Arya.I can’t wait to see her again on Saturday.What should we do?I don’t want to do another restaurant thing.So I ask my teammates for ideas when we’re out for a team dinner the night before the game at the steakhouse in the Westin in downtown Calgary.

“Okay you guys, I’m taking my future wife out on a date on Saturday and I need ideas.”

“Future wife.”Bellsy shakes his head at me.“You need to slow your roll, dude.”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t told her yet.”I smirk at him.

“Dinner at Rossignol,” he suggests.“I took Everly there.We saw Tom Hanks.”

“Don’t want another dinner date.”I cut into my perfect medium-rare steak.“We’ve done that.I want to do something fun and different.”

“Take her on a hike to the Hollywood sign,” Bellsy offers.“I did that with Everly too.”

I roll my eyes.“I don’t want to go on the same dates as my sister, thanks.”

He snorts.

“How did you get her to do that, anyway?Did she hike in her Prada heels?”

“Yeah, of course,” he says.“Dumbass.It wasme.She wanted to be with me.”

“Uh-huh.”

“How about a movie?”Bergie suggests.“Chicks like rom coms.”

I consider that.Sitting beside Arya in silence for a couple of hours doesn’t sound that appealing.Although maybe we could make out in the back row of the theater...

“Griffith Observatory,” Jabber suggests.“You can look at the stars.Very romantic.”

“Huh.”That’s a possibility.

“You two could hang out with us,” Nicky says.

“Ha.I’m not bringing her around you guys.”

“What?Why not?”Nicky looks offended.

“She sees enough of you at yoga class.Besides, that’s too high pressure.I might as well take her home to meet my family.”

That gets a bunch of laughs.

“She’s going to have to meet them at some point,” Jimmy points out.“If she’s going to be your wife.”

“Yeah, at some point.But she’s already met my sister.And Bellsy here.”

“Aw.Am I family now?”he asks.“I’m honored.”

I shrug.“Sort of.Also JP.”I grin, remembering knocking him into the water at the first SUP class we went to.

“Take her shopping,” Scotty says.“Buy her something expensive.”

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