Page 133 of Unrivaled Love
I wish I felt all that confidence when it came to my relationship woes. I’m trying something new and I’m not sure how it’s going to go.
Stoppage time expires without much action and when the final whistle blows, we begin making our way to the locker room. I head that way on a jog, which is much faster than my usual hands-on-hips stroll after 90 minutes of giving it my all.
But tonight I want to be the first one showered, the first one treated by the trainer, and the first one out of here because for the first time since I started playing professionally I've got somewhere more important to be.
Chapter 42
Bryson
Timeless Treasure
Onethingaboutme?I'm a bit of a birthday brat. I make the guys take me out, buy me drinks, and wish me a happy birthday all day long. Growing up, birthdays were a big deal. My parents would decorate our doors, hang streamers, get balloons, sing to us, make our favorite foods, and cake for breakfast. We would open presents before we even brushed our teeth.
Of course, birthdays look different now. My parents always FaceTime to sing and my siblings text but the fanfare is a little more low key.
We flew out to Seattle after our game last night so when I woke up in the hotel room this morning I found a Happy Birthday sign taped to my door. All the guys and a lot of the training staff had signed it which is really nice.
But Jo hadn't.
And logically I know she wouldn't sign the team poster for my birthday but I hadn't gotten a card from her or anything.
It’s making me pouty.
Sure, she's been busy, tonight's game sort of makes or breaks her season, but I still thought a card would be manageable.
Or at least a tit pic.
But no. I got a words-only text from her this morning, not even a fucking cake emoji, but I was still asleep and by the time I returned it she was at her team's pre-game meetings. After the meeting she goes home to take a nap which I know better than to interrupt.
Then it was time for me to nap and get ready for the game we have tonight.
We exchanged "good luck" texts and promised to talk after our games.
Hers starts an hour before ours since she's on Mountain time. Luke, our assistant equipment manager, offered to stream it on his phone so he could give me updates. I took him up on the offer so I can at least get the scores when I ask.
We take the ice for warmups which start as her game does. I'm slow and sloppy and I need to get my head in this game. Not hers.
A young Renegades fan has a poster up on the glass wishing me a Happy Birthday and the sign asks for a puck in exchange for Dip n Dots. I pick up one of the practice pucks and toss it over to him. He beams and flips the sign over. It lists the flavors and I laugh.
"Hold on." I tell him and I skate over to Luke at the bench. "Hey, can you go buy Dip n Dots for that kid and me. I'll take cookies and cream. I'll pay you back, okay?"
"For sure, I'll be right back."
Luke hops off the bench and heads towards the tunnel. A minute later I see him pointing at me through the glass next to the kid and his mom and I smile, wave, and give him a thumbs up as best I can with my glove on.
Duncan skates up with a stack of pucks in his hand. "Make a wish birthday boy!"
I laugh, close my eyes, and wish for the impossible before opening my eyes and pretending to blow out the candles.
In the locker room ten minutes later, I'm taking a bite of the Dip n Dots and Coach Bradford is giving me a disapproving look. "You better not barf on my bench, Svoboda."
"I won't Coach. I'm good." I pat my stomach.
The ice cream treat put me in a better mood. And after I tripped over nothing during warmups I told Luke not to give me updates on her game. I need to focus here.
Jo will understand.
I can watch the highlights later.
