Page 73 of Taylor

“What?” he looked over at her, confused. “I’m just examining the game videos.”

“No, what are you doing with that?” she asked, pointing to the paper and pencil in his hand.

“Oh...” He curled a sheepish smile. “That’s just something I do sometimes.”

“Why?”

“When I was a kid, I watched an interview with Wayne Gretsky. He was talking about how he was always one step ahead of the puck, and he shared he thought it was because, when he was a kid, when he would watch hockey with his dad, he would always trace where the puck was. It helps to be able to know where it is and predict bounces and stuff like that as much as you can. I don’t know if it helps, but I’ve done it ever since I saw that interview.”

“You really like Wayne Gretsky, don’t you?”

He looked at her like she had lost her mind. “He’s the great one for a reason, Alice,” he said very seriously.

“You’re right,” she said with a light chuckle. “What was I thinking?”

He turned his focus back to the screen, and she watched him before getting back to her art. It felt right, righter than anything she’d experienced in a long time.

Before long, the game videos were over, and Taylor stood. “I’m going to go take a nap.”

“Okay,” Alice said, smiling at him.

He turned and left into the room.

Alice turned back to her art.

A few minutes later, he came out of the bedroom, shaking his hands and looking agitated.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” he grunted, but the crease did not leave his brow. “I just... I don’t know. Something feels off.”

He went to the kitchen and got a drink and paced a bit before returning to his room. In another minute, he came out and stood by his door, still shaking his hands.

“Do you want me to leave?”

She didn’t necessarily want to leave, but he was in the middle of his game-day ritual, so she wouldn’t mind.

“No,” he said immediately. “It just doesn’t feel right with you out here.”

Another moment passed in an awkward silence.

“Do you want to come with me?” he blurted.

“Yeah, if you want me there.”

“Alice, I will always want you in bed with me... always.”

Holding his hand out, he helped her up off the couch and led her into the bedroom. He pulled back the covers, and they settled in.

She had wondered if there would be any fooling around but didn’t want to try anything. At the end of the day, she was just so happy to be included in his game-day ritual.

He closed the blinds with a remote and turned off the bedside light. It was cool and perfect for a good long winter’s nap.

After their nap, Taylor got up, got himself a cup of coffee, got his suit on, and headed out the door. Part of her wanted to go with him. It would be nice to pull up together, but they weren’t quite ready for that yet. They had only been together for a while, and this weeklong break from each other would prove a lot to her. So, while she was sad they were flying out after the game, it would be good for them.

On her way to the arena, she stopped by her house and quickly climbed the stairs to her room. She couldn’t find what she was looking for. Next, she tried the bathroom, searching the drawers and medicine cabinet, and had no luck. The only other place she could think to look was the hall closet. After moving around unorganized baskets, which had been organized at one point and now were just a hodgepodge of beauty supplies and first aid and medication, finally, she found what she was looking for.

She pulled out the colorful package of hair chalk, aiming for the purple and teal. It wasn’t perfect, and she could get her hair done soon, but it would be good for the night. With a couple streaks through her hair, she set out for the arena, feeling a bit more like herself.

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