Page 108 of Play Book

“What do we do?”

“Everyone, we apologize for the spectacle.” Coach Vanek looks around. “We’ll pay for any damage. And Phantoms, finish your breakfast and get out to the bus. You have fifteen minutes.”

There doesn’t seem to be anything else to do, so those of us that are left sit back down and go back to our breakfast.

I have a feeling there’s a team meeting in the near future.

THIRTY-TWO

Saylor

I’ve never been happier to be in New York City than I am right now.

The last few days have been a whirlwind, with Canyon on the road and me trying to get as much done as possible before leaving for a week. I feel bad that I have to postpone next week’s art classes, the last of the six, but I’ve promised everyone that I’ll add an extra week onto the end to make it up to them.

Frankly, I can use the break.

I’ll be working in New York, but I feel safer here.

Those flowers had been jarring, and once again, there were no fingerprints on the box and whoever sent them had used a fake name and address. I’d been aggravated and worried before, but that’s morphed into genuine fear now. Rage is in the process of installing a panic button at the gallery and another in my bedroom at home, which makes me feel marginally better. We’ve also arranged for me to have round-the-clock security until we figure this out.

It’s a huge expense, but I feel better knowing I’ll have someone with me. Especially at the gallery. I have both customers and the kids on Thursday evenings to think about, so it’s worth it to have some peace of mind.

Not in New York, though. I’ll be with Canyon tonight when he’s done playing, all day tomorrow, and then until he has to leave on Sunday morning. Once the guys are gone, a group of us girls are going to Stevie’s house to help her pack and exorcise some demons. She’s already contacted a realtor who’s going to help her sell both the brownstone and the furniture, and the plan is to make L.A. her home going forward.

“I’m so glad I’m finally going to pack up my house,” Stevie says to me as we head down to meet the guys after the game. “I want to sell it and move on with my life, you know?”

“And I’m glad we can be here with you.”

“I might throw up when we walk through the front door, but at least I’m finally getting it over with.”

“Don’t think about that. We have an amazing day planned tomorrow, so let’s focus on the good.”

“Have you told Canyon about the roses yet?” she asks.

I hadn’t and I make a face. “No. I hate giving him anything else to worry about. He’s got so much going on with Ally, plus the team just clinched a playoff spot, he doesn’t need anything else.”

“I’m no expert, but I don’t think that’s how relationships work.”

“I think it is,” I counter. “I’m protecting him right now. Later, when things settle down, it’ll be his turn to protect me.”

She shakes her head. “This is different, though. Someone has threatened to hurt you. That’s different than stress from work or dealing with a hormonal pre-teen.”

I know she’s right, but it’s hard to count on anyone.

Especially a guy.

“I think there’s a part of me that doesn’t want to scare him off,” I admit. “Like, he has all this shit already going on. The last thing he needs is for me to add to it. I don’t want to be another stressor in his already stressful life.”

“That’s not fair,” she says. “I made a lot of excuses with Damien like that too. Because I was afraid of losing him. Turns out, maybe if I’d done something to make him show his true colors sooner, instead of placating him all the time, none of what happened would have happened.”

“I want him to get through the playoffs. That’s all. Then I’ll tell him everything.”

“The playoffs could go until mid-June!” she says, her eyes wide. “That’s two months from now.”

“I’ll figure it out, okay? Just please don’t say anything.”

“I won’t. Not yet. But I’m serious, Saylor. If you can’t share the bad along with the good, you’re not in a healthy relationship.”

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