Page 131 of The Right Move

“I’m passing a recipe to Indigo.”

Indy motions towards the cutting board in front of her, my entire kitchen covered in food she’s prepped.

Radiantly beaming, she’s endlessly happier than we left things last night.

“How are you feeling?” her mom continues.

“I’m getting there. Hopefully I’ll be back on the court by the time you and Tim come to visit.”

“Well, we’ll be supporting you either way. I’ll let you two get to it. Talk to you soon, Ryan! Bye, honey.”

Indy hangs up the phone. “Why does my mother sound like your new bestie?”

I pop my shoulders. “Mothers love me.”

She eyes me suspiciously but doesn’t catch on to the fact her mom and I are as comfortable as we are because I’ve chatted with her parents more than a few times since I first met them over a video call in this very kitchen.

“I know the apartment is hectic, but I’ll clean it after tonight.” Indy takes in my body. “No crutches? That’s exciting!”

“Are you okay?” I ask with confusion. Last night she was overwhelmed and distant. Today it’s as if our conversation never happened.

“Of course, I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Maybe because you took what I said the wrong way yesterday and thought I wanted you to move out?

Looking around the crowded apartment, I ask, “What’s going on?”

“We’re hosting team dinner.”

“Um, no, we’re not.”

“Annie called and said you canceled the whole thing.”

“I did.”

“And I had Ethan un-cancel it and invite the team here instead.”

“Indy, why would you do that? You know how I feel about people being in my space. Not to mention, I let every single one of those guys down last night. I’m not ready to face them.”

She drops the knife she’s using to chop veggies as she tilts her head and softens her approach. “Ryan, you didn’t let anyone down, and we had a deal. I’m supposed to help you be a better leader.”

“No, you’re just supposed to help me convince Ron that I am.”

“Why not actually do it? You can’t play for a month. Why not take this as an opportunity to shift gears and contribute in other ways? You’re the smartest guy on the team. You can still use your brain from the sidelines.”

I can’t exactly argue the logic. It’s what a good leader would do.

“I don’t know about this, Ind. Having everyone over here.”

Not to mention, I thought I’d have her alone so I could convince her not to move out. All night long. With my tongue perhaps.

“Will you trust me with this?” she begs. “If they get here and it’s too much for you, I’ll kick them out, but I think this could be great. I bought you all new dishes and silverware, so we have enough for everyone. Well, you bought them. I used your credit card, obviously.”

A tiny smile spreads across my lips. “Obviously.”

Her eyes squeeze shut with regret, as if she caught herself in the act. “I’ll pay you back for them.”

“Please don’t do that. Please don’t walk around here on eggshells. You’re not paying me back for my own team dinner.”

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