Page 98 of Body Shot

I chuckle. “I’ll do my best to rectify that as soon as possible.”

“I know. All right, I’ve just pulled up to the house. I need to eat something and get some sleep. I’ll text you tomorrow.”

“Okay, beautiful. Sweet dreams.”

“Good night.”

I disconnect and stare up at the ceiling.

This situation with Hana might put a kink in my plans.

I know I’m rushing things with Claudia, but is it wrong to want to take things to the next level with a woman I’ve fallen in love with? She’s only three years younger than me, but in some ways, it feels like more. Maybe it would be better for her to live on her own before she moves in with me, to give her a chance to experience some of the things I’ve already been through. Moving from her parents’ house to mine, so to speak, might be a mistake.

Except that’s not what I want.

I know we need to talk about this stuff, but I’m reluctant for so many reasons.

First and foremost, we’re not together, and I’ve always been a firm believer that important conversations should happen in person. I like being able to look in someone’s eyes, to see and feel their emotional response to whatever it is. In Claudia’s case, I can see everything in her eyes, so I feel like it would be ridiculous to have that kind of conversation on the phone.

Second, she’s crazy busy at work. She’s being what I assume is her usual over-achieving self, trying to prove her worth to her new bosses, and probably to her coworkers as well. I don’t want to distract her at a time when she’s got her nose to the grind.

And finally, and this might be the biggest reason—we’re still so damn new. Having never fallen in love this fast, part of me is worried that Claudia’s being swept up in emotions that are new to her, and she needs time to catch up. New job, new boyfriend, new car on the horizon…how do I throw moving into not just a new apartment, but a whole new city and state into the mix?

Just because I’m ready doesn’t mean she is, and my biggest worry is that I’m going to push her away with too much too soon. At the same time, slowing down makes me uncomfortable because our disparate lives make it difficult for us to spend time together. As I get deeper into hockey season, there will be more meetings, special workouts, and more variables than I can count. All of them could mean less time for Claudia, and I want our relationship to be a little more stable before the potential chaos that comes in the second half of the season.

I really need someone to talk to, but I don’t dare say anything to Johan—talking about Hana could get tricky—and most of my single friends don’t have a clue when it comes to relationships.

I could call my mother, but she’ll be too excited that I have a new girlfriend, and I’m not ready for the conversation yet.

Coach Petrov is easy to talk to, but we don’t usually go to him for relationship advice, and in my heart of hearts I already know what I have to do: Tell her how I feel, ask her if she’s ready to take things to the next level, and give her the key I made for her.

The only catch is that I have to do it in person.

Two weeks until Thanksgiving.

That’s when I’m going to take my shot.

Until then, I’m keeping my head down and focusing on hockey.

THIRTY-SIX

Claudia

I wakeup with a blinding headache and a funny tummy.

It’s a rainy Monday morning in early November and I’m tempted to call in to work.

But I can’t.

There’s so much to do and I’m starting my tech support stint this week. Technically, I’m taking the three-to-eleven shift answering the phones, but I want to go in earlier so I can catch up on a few other things. Since I’m so far ahead in my training, Randy has given me additional duties, and it feels like I’m finally starting to get a feel for both the company’s software and their work culture.

Everyone is laid back and casual in dress, attitude, and scheduling, but hardcore when it comes to the software itself and customers. I’m really enjoying the job and can’t wait to be in a position where I can add my thoughts and suggestions when it comes to upgrades and customer services.

However, that’s not going to be today.

Today, I feel like I’m getting the flu and I’m not sure whether to push through it and take a chance on infecting my co-workers or stay home and rest.

I stumble into the bathroom and gulp down some acetaminophen. Standing at the bathroom sink, I rest my hands on the counter and will the nausea to go away. A shower and breakfast will probably help, but I’ll take my time since I don’t have to be there until three anyway.

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