Page 75 of For the Win

After the game,which the Condors win following an overtime shoot-out, I’m exhausted.

Janey and I stop by the Golden Fish.We hang out with Taj and Ziggy, Arlo and Indigo, and have a drink.“I didn’t even play the game,” I say, laughing at how stressful it was.

“Imagine how the players feel,” Taj says.

“Wow, no kidding.They work so hard.”I’m in awe of their fitness and stamina, their toughness, both mental and physical.Can I really teach them anything?I’m questioning that now.

Taj is going to Ziggy’s place tonight, so Janey drives me home.

“Thanks for inviting me,” she says, her voice alive with enthusiasm.“I think I’m a new hockey fan!”

“Well, good.I’m glad it wasn’t too boring for you.”

“Not at all!We should go to the playoff games.”

“Okay, great!”

Inside, I lock the door, turn on the lights, and pull my phone out of my small purse.

I send Harrison a text congratulating him on the overtime goal he scored.It didn’t win the game, that was Rintala’s goal, but still, he scored, and I’m happy for him.I don’t know where he is; he probably had to do stuff after the game.Maybe he’s out with his friends.It’s a Friday night.

He texts me back to say thanks.

Then I ask,

Are you coming to SUP yoga tomorrow?

He’s done a couple of water classes when he can.

Sorry, can’t.We have a team meeting.

Okay, no worries.

I’ll have a busy day tomorrow.Maybe we can have dinner?

Sure, sounds good.

After my Saturday classes, which end at two o’clock, I decide to ride down to the beach.It’s definitely spring now, the sun stronger and warmer, the air soft.I pedal along the path, gazing across the wide expanse of pale sand toward the glistening ocean.Lots of other people are enjoying the warm weather too, sitting on the sand, walking, biking.

A vast feeling of well-being expands inside me and I smile as I ride.At this moment, I feel so lucky.Yeah, I’ve had some shitty shit happen in my life, but right now, I feel good.I have friends, I have—I guess—a new boyfriend who I really like, I have work that I love.And how can you be down when the sun is blazing in a clear blue sky and I’m at the frickin’ beach?

I ride all the way to Santa Monica Pier and decide to stop at a little ice cream place for a treat.It’s not as good as Leo’s Creamery, but I basically love any kind of ice cream.

I study the menu, trying to decide between a waffle cone with toasted almond ice cream, or a s’mores sundae.Gah!Finally, I place my order for the cone.

Holding it, I wheel my bike over to a picnic table, where I take a seat facing the sun and turn my face up to the sky, before licking the ice cream.Absolute deliciousness—cold, creamy, sweet.

I enjoy people watching, especially at the pier, so as I eat my cone, I take in my surroundings, watching a teenage couple flirt, a family try to soothe a crying baby, and a girl with the cutest dog ever that I really, really want to pet.

Then I do a double take.

I stare at the couple standing across the wooden deck near the railing of the pier.I’m not that close, but...that looks like Harrison.

My stomach clenches as he laughs and leans in closer to the woman.She’s pretty—long shiny, dark hair, wow, killer long legs in a pair of short shorts.

He nuzzles her hair and...oh my God...kisses her cheek.

My mouth falls open and my head jerks back.Suddenly I feel cold.

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