Page 111 of Now and Forever

Flyn laughs too, and we move on.

An hour later, Eric calls. He has a basketball game, and he wants me to go to the sports center. Delighted, I accept. I put on my jeans, my black boots, and an Armani T-shirt. I bundle up and call a taxi. When I get to the address he gave me, I smile when I see him leaning on his car and waiting for me.

Eric pays for the taxi, then smiles and kisses me hello.

When we get to the locker room, he kisses me again.

“Check out the stands. I’m sure Frida’s there.”

Delighted by life and love, I walk toward the court. Frida’s there with Lora and Gina. They accept me as Eric’s girlfriend now, and I’m thankful for that. Lora, the blonde, smiles at me and says, “My heroine’s here.”

I look at her, surprised.

“I heard you gave Betta what was coming to her,” she whispers.

I give Frida a look as if scolding her for telling.

“Don’t look at me. It wasn’t me,” she protests.

Lora smiles. “The woman who was out with Betta told me,” she says.

“Please, don’t let Eric know.”

Everyone gives me signs of approval, and not long after that, the boys come out on the court. Unsurprisingly, seeing Eric so agile and active while he runs down the court really gets me going. But this time, in spite of his effort, they lose the game by three points.

When it’s over, we go down to the court, and Eric gives me a sweaty kiss.

“I’m going to take a shower, darling. Be right back.”

Frida and I are the only ones in the little room where we usually wait for them. Lora and Gina have left. We gossip, having fun, until Eric and Andrés come out.

“Change of plans, babe. We’re going home,” Andrés says.

Frida complains, surprised.

“But we said we’d meet Dexter at his hotel.”

Andrés nods. “I’ll cancel the date. Something came up I have to take care of.”

Frida grumbles.

“Who’s Dexter?” I ask.

“A friend who we play with when he comes to Munich,” says Frida. “Eric knows him too, right?”

My boyfriend nods.

“He’s a great guy.”

Playing? I feel my body respond, and I lean into Eric.

“Why don’t we go on that date?”

He looks at me, seeming surprised.

“I feel like playing. C’mon ... let’s go.”

My Iceman smiles and looks at Frida; then he looks back at me.

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