Page 178 of Home Game

Around us, the Pittsburgh fans went crazy. We all huddled around our bench, watched as our opponents lost their minds, cheering and screaming their joy.

This should be us. We should have won.

I stood there, silent and watching, vowing to remember this feeling.

It seemed like hours before we finally went through the lineup to shake their hands.

The locker room was silent as we got dressed. We were heading home.

At the airport,I got a text.

Zoey: You played an incredible game

Me: We lost

Zoey: How are you doing?

I wanted to see her. So bad.

Me: I feel like shit

I did. We had just played an 84-game season and then another twenty-two playoff games. My body hurt. Every muscle hurt. And I hated losing. So much.

Zoey: I wish I could hug you

Me: I need a Zoey hug

Zoey: Anytime…

That made me smile.

Me: We’re just boarding. I’ll be in touch

Zoey: Safe travels

Our flight was seven hours, but with the time difference, we landed in Vancouver at 4 AM. I got into a cab and gave him my address, but then halfway home, I asked him to take me to Zoey’s place.

I grabbed my bag, paid him and walked up her steps.

It was unacceptable to show up at her place in the middle of the night, but I wanted one hug. Then I would go home.

“It’s Ryan,” I said into the speaker.

Without a word, she buzzed me in. Nothing in the world felt better than coming around the corner of her apartment steps and seeing her standing in the doorway, all sleepy and cute.

“I came for my hug.”

She opened her arms, and I stepped into them.

We stood there for a long time hugging. She felt fucking good I didn’t want to let go.

She felt like home.

“Your hug made me feel a hundred times better.” I kissed her forehead.

I stepped back.

“Where are you going?” Her voice was sharp.

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