Page 52 of Keeping the Score

“Good to know,” I reply dryly.

He grins. “What about you? Do you have a mantra?”

“I don’t meditate.”

“You should.”

I tip my head to one side. “Why?”

“It’s good for you.”

“So is fiber.”

He barks out a laugh. “True. Meditation helps deal with stress and anxiety.”

“Ohhh, like the stress of being in the net with players shooting pucks at you.”

“Exactly.” He gives me a look. “Don’t tell me you don’t have stress in your job.”

“Oh yeah, I do.” I pucker my lips up briefly. “Dealing with people is always stressful. Right now I have one client who is so indecisive I almost lost my mind the other day.”

“There you go. Meditation would help that.”

“Hmm. Maybe some time I’ll try it. I do try to stay positive, though. I think about the tattoo on my back.”

He blinks. “You have a tattoo on your back?”

“Yeah.” Without thinking, I stand up, turn around, and pull up my sweater. The wordsRise above the storm and you will find the sunshineare inked in script up my spine.

“Very nice,” he says in a choked voice. “I like it.”

I pull my sweater down. I probably shouldn’t have done that, but I kind of like that I flustered him. I take my seat.

“How about yoga?” he asks. “Have you done yoga?”

“No.”

He heaves an exaggerated sigh. “Andi, Andi.”

“You’re a hockey player. You don’t do yoga.”

“Sure, I have. It’s great for flexibility. I’mveryflexible.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.

I grin and shake my head.

“It’s also great for staying calm and balanced. Sometime, I’ll take you to a yoga class.”

Sure he will. “Okay.”

16

FORD

I started the season with a bang in that first game. I was proud of myself for that. I’ve been working my whole life to be the best goalie I can be. My play that night earned me the start in the next game. That game didn’t go so well. We lost, four-three. I let in four fucking goals. And the game after that, I let in four again. Except that game we won, at least. But these numbers are not making my stats look good. Goals against average, save percentage—not looking stellar right now. I’m right in the middle of the pack, and that is not where I want to be. Goodbye, Jennings Trophy.

The season has just started.

And I’m so fucking tired.

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