Page 72 of For the Win

Bellsy snorts.“They’re getting married, didn’t you know?”

“Ahahaha.That’s so funny.”

“Shut up, Bellsy,” I say mildly.

He grins.

Everly looks between us.“Getting married?What am I missing?”

“Nothing.Okay, I’m going home for a nap.”I nod at Bellsy.“You should too, instead of molesting my sister in her office.

Everly laughs.

“I’m on my way,” Bellsy says.“See you later.”

* * *

We manageto beat Calgary Tuesday night.Wednesday, we practice.

First, we have yoga class.It’s almost getting to be my favorite part of practice.

But really, nothing will ever be as good as being on the ice, and probably a lot of why I like yoga has to do with Arya.

Now she’s mine.We’re really dating.I need to act casual about it, though.I don’t want to embarrass her.We’re both professionals.

This class seems a lot looser than others.I guess because we know we’re in the playoffs and we only have one game left, everyone’s pretty relaxed.Almost punchy.

“This is the Plow Pose,” Arya says, to the chill tune she’s playing.“Exhale and bend from the hips joints, and slowly lower your toes to the floor above and beyond your head.”

Jesus, I can’t breathe with my insides all squished up like this.

“You can continue to press your hands against your back, pushing your back up toward the ceiling...or you can release your hands and stretch your arms out behind you on the floor, opposite your legs.”

“Did you just fart, man?”

After a couple of beats of stunned silence everyone cracks up.I fall over, laughing, and look at Scotty glaring at Bergie.

“Yeah,” Bergie admits.“Couldn’t help it.”

“Ah!That’s nasty!”Face screwed up, Scotty rolls away, waving his hands.

Bergy rolls his eyes, but he’s still laughing.“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad.”

“You gotta stop eating those spicy burritos, man.”

Arya is collapsed into a quivering heap up front, her face down on the mat so I can’t see her laughing, but I know she is.She’s a good sport.

She collects herself and rises to her knees.“Okay guys, if you haven’t farted yet, you’re not doing it right.”

Everyone collapses into laughter again.

“Alright, let’s do Prasarita Padottanasana,” Arya says.“Wide-legged standing forward bend.”

We all get to our feet.Hopefully Bergy has released all his gas.Truthfully, sometimes it’s hard to hold it in, during some poses.

“Stretch your arms straight out to your sides and widen your stance until your ankles are directly below your wrists.”

I shuffle my feet wider apart.

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