Page 34 of Playoff

“Are we getting out of here?” Bodi asks for the third time after we’ve done a few post-game interviews, showered, and gotten dressed.

“Yeah, let’s go.” We head down the hall toward the players’ parking lot when I notice Rowan leaning against the wall. Hereyes are closed and she’s using her right hand to massage her left shoulder.

It looks like she’s in pain, and I instinctively slow down.

“Hey,” I call to her, breaking off from Bodi.

“Hi.” She immediately stands up straight and forces a smile, though it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“I just wanted to thank you,” I say. “For helping me at the beginning of the game. It worked.”

“I’m glad. You’re welcome.”

“You, uh, heading home?”

“Yeah.” She bends and picks up a small duffel bag.

“Which way are you going? I’ll walk you out.”

“We don’t park in the players’ lot,” she says. “But it’s fine. I don’t need an escort.”

“It’s late,” I protest.

“Hey, you go ahead and walk her out,” Bodi calls. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

“Great.” I turn and walk in the opposite direction.

“I’m really fine on my own,” she says, though she falls into step beside me.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be a gentleman.”

She glances over at me, like she wants to say something, but then just nods.

“Thank you.”

We walk in silence the rest of the way, and I realize where she parks is on the other side of the arena. “Damn, they have you guys in the boonies.”

“It’s okay. There’s security, and it’s easy to get to from the back entrance of the arena.”

“That’s good.”

Damn, why does this feel so awkward?

I wish I knew what came over me to want to walk her to her car, but deep down I know the reason.

She’s still the prettiest girl in school.

The one whose smile makes me happy.

The one who apparently whispers in my ear before a game to calm me down.

And the one who still winks when I score.

Neither of us are the same people, and yet, here we are a decade later, reliving some of the past. Just not the really fun parts—the parts that happen naked.

“Okay, my car is just over there.” She pushes the door with her left arm and immediately winces. “Ugh.”

“What’s wrong?” I ask quickly.

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