Page 36 of Unrivaled Love
Chris and Mason are on their way back from the rock and see Bryson taking off. They’re yelling at him to come back as they swim back to shore as fast as they can. I duck back a little further into the woods and then turn away as they get out and run after him.
It’s going to be difficult to look at Bryson again and not picture him dripping wet and naked.
My trip down memory lane must have guided my feet because I am at the edge of the lake. The sun's light dapples through the trees and I feel those memories in the air around me. I realize I saw Bryson dripping wet and naked again today but it felt different this time.
That was the trip that started it all.
And it had to start for it to end.
There's a fallen log that overlooks the lake. We would leave our shoes and coverups on it years ago. Today I sit down on it and stare out at the lake.
I close my eyes and take a long inhale. It doesn't quite fill my lungs but it's close. This is my baseline. I measure the tightness in my chest again and I inhale and exhale. By the end of my suspension I'll need to be able to take a deep breath without any restriction in my chest. That’s thegoal.
I'll add in some yoga to connect my breath with my movements. More hikes will help too. There's a treadmill in the basement and I'll put in some miles.
Without my permission my mind drifts to Pee Pee.
I know I was the aggressor but why isn't she getting a suspension?
She was conniving and deceitful and said one thing to my face and another behind my back.
It's the worst kind of pain to know.
Betrayal.
To put your trust in someone only to have it ripped away when you learn what's really in their head.
I sigh and roll my head from side to side.
I don't think I'm referring to Pee Pee anymore.
No, the feelings that are stirring in my belly are the ones I've been battling for years.
The one caused by my roommate.
More like roomhate.
Ha, I read that in a book once.
My stomach growls and I curse the sky because I still can't get into the fridge.
I guess I worked up an appetite waiting in the closet of his bedroom for him to come in and shower. I saw him out in the woods working up a sweat when I went to the garage for the fishing rod. Then I hunkered down and bided my time.
Oh, and I dropped one more surprise for Bryson that he’ll find tonight.
The smile spreads across my face again as I remember how he stormed out naked and watched his clothing rise to the rafters.
In a prank war, Bryson has the advantage. He was always pulling shit with the boys when we were younger. I'm going to have to up my game.
I brush off my ass and walk back to the house. While we obviously can't stand each other, I hope he's cool to just let us both chill this afternoon. The house is big enough. One of us could be on the patio and the other inside. Or even out on the front porch. Or in our bedrooms, even if mine is the stinky bunk room.
The house comes into view and all I want to do is sit and read. WhenRaven Squallwas released I was in the thick of pre-season training, then the season started and with the US Team in the mix too I haven’t had any downtime. It’s been a grind, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to play for a World Cup but that doesn’t mean it’s any less work.
Bryson will say the NHL schedule is harder with multiple games a week and practices in between but I'm training Monday through Friday for twelve hours and then adding in the US team bonding and practices on top of my weekly games.
And if I hadn't been suspended I'd be training now.
All of that to say, I haven’t had a chance to sit and read the latest release and I am dying to get my hands on it.
