Page 144 of Unrivaled Love
“Yeah, I’m good.” He says with a nonchalant shrug.
“That’s it?” I ask turning away from the bowl to face him.
“What else are you expecting?” He asks as he pulls two mugs out of the cabinet.
“I dunno, a sour mood, frustration, drive to fix the mistakes.” Not that I’m describing myself at all.
“It stings for sure, and there’s always some frustration on the ice when things aren’t going our way. But we’ve got 82 games to get through, some are going to be losses. All I can do is show up and do my best with my boys.” He pops a grape into his mouth. “Plus, Coach Bradford gets frustrated enough for all of us.”
“So, you’re like, fine. That’s it. Not concerned about losing by three goals last night?” I ask because I can’t really believe he’s so chill about it.
“Yeah, I guess I am. I give everything on the ice so there isn’t much left afterwards. And if I sulk then I have to spend more energy getting back intothe right mindset for the next game. And I’ve got a game every couple of days, sometimes back to back. I don’t have the luxury of a week to mope and get out of it.”
“What?”
“No, I mean. Like-”
“Oh, no, I think I get what you mean.”
“C’mon Jo, I’m tired. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Sure, no problem.” I say as I turn back to the bowl. I measure out the cinnamon to add as I continue. “It’s good to know you can just pop right back from your losses. Water under the bridge. And I guess that makes sense, you were a headcase after winning not losing.”
“Hey, c’mon that’s not fair either.”
“You’re right. I just don’t understand how you can be so relaxed about losing.”
“You want to know why?” He demands from behind me. His tone has shifted so I turn around to face him.
“Why?” I ask quietly.
“Because, Jo, losing reminds me I’m human. Winning makes me feel invincible. And in the last several months I’ve added something to my life that makes me feel whole in a way I never could have imagined.”
“What?”
“You.” He steps forward and holds my face in his hands. “Jo, you know and love me regardless of my stat sheet. And I love you regardless of yours. I want to be the one to help you bounce back after losses and learn to not take yourself too seriously. I want to help you channel that intensity into your practice and games. I want the time we spend together to be full of laughter and fun.”
His thumbs caress my cheeks as he speaks and I feel my knees get wobbly.
“Makes sense.” I shrug.
“It does, doesn’t it.” Bryson presses a kiss to my forehead. “Now, let’s get cooking. Bry Guy is hungry!”
I laugh and turn to the bowl. As he slides up next to me with two steaming cups of coffee I decide to have a little harmless fun with Bryson like he so obviously wants.
“Can you grab the eggs?” I ask as I turn back to the batter bowl.
“Yes, chef.”
When he returns to the counter and sets the carton down I attempt to lift the bowl full of pancake mix but it’s stuck.
“Oh shit.” I grumble and try to pull it off the counter again.
“What’s up?” Bryson asks as he pulls out some more fruit from the fridge.
“Well, it’s like this bowl is stuck to the counter. I can’t get it up and I need to move it.”
“Really? That’s weird.” He says as he steps over. I let him observe me trying to get the bowl off the counter.
