Page 30 of Ice, Love, & Other Penalties

Indie: Ha, you’re not funny. Okay, I just sent you the links and what I think you should do there.

Ty: You want me to stay overnight in Luna Harbor?

Indie: That’s better than coming back to Seattle and then having to drive there.

Ty: What happened to brunch?

Indie: We can move it to whenever you have a free weekend. I’m saving you a four-hour drive—think about Monday’s game.

Ty: True, I’ll deal with Myra.

Indie: Tell her about the lavender farm—she can harvest her own lavender or prepare soap or . . . It’ll be so much fun.

Ty: Is it safe?

Indie: Of course it is. Do you think they’d let children participate in something unsafe?

Ty: I trust you.

Indie: Perfect. If you can bring me some lemon-lavender tea, I’ll appreciate it.

Ty: You got it. So Silverthorne first, then Luna Harbor. Got it.

Indie: Have fun.

Ty: You too, just make sure not to add unnecessary things to the room, please. It’s just temporary and I won’t be having guests after you.

Indie: Where did the nanny stay when she was working for you?

Ty: Gemma and Myra came to every away game with me—unless Myra was sick or there was an issue. If she had to stay at my place, she would use the sofa bed I have in the living room. And we planned to continue doing exactly the same.

Indie: Why not a bedroom?

Ty: When we were in Florida, I lived in a two-bedroom townhome. I’m used to that.

Indie: But you live in Seattle and have plenty of rooms.

Ty: I didn’t think about it. We had a routine. I honestly didn’t see the point in buying a bed. I don’t like to spend money on frivolous objects.

Somehow, the idea of making him spend money on furnishing and decorating the room now feels wrong. What if I’m imposing? I would hate to be that person.

Indie: If you need me to sleep on that couch, I can try.

Ty: No, I want you to get the room set up and make it comfortable for you. Maybe that’s something I should’ve done before we moved in. All my life I’ve lived on a tight budget—spending money unnecessarily makes me anxious. What if tomorrow I lose my ability to skate or play hockey? I need to know I’ll have enough put away to support Myra no matter what happens. But that doesn’t mean basic things like furnishing a room and providing a decent place for you to sleep is going to bankrupt me. It’s just . . . I don’t know, it makes me extremely anxious to think that I’ll lose everything I’ve built. I’m not sure if there’s a word for what I feel, but it’s sometimes hard to handle.

Indie: Trauma. It’s called trauma. You should try a therapist. I’m not saying that your spending should change, but having anxiety for it is not good for your physical or emotional health.

Ty: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. Please make sure you set up the space the way you feel is best. We’re going to get ready to leave. Can you send a list of what Myra should wear and what she should pack, please?

Indie: Why?

Ty: Because you’re from here, and you know better than either one of us.

Indie: So, you don’t want to fight with her and it’s best if you blame me when she tells you the sparkly sandals are perfect for today?

Ty: Exactly.

Indie: She needs waterproof boots. I’ll send you the address of a store in Silverthorne where you can get them. They have sparkly ones—that will be a great substitute for those fabulous sandals.

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