Page 70 of The Grinder

Yeah, ah. That kind of summed up her feelings this morning.

She’d told herself last night that she was happy for him. And she was. She really was. But she was also practical and she knew that if he stayed with the Colonials, their relationship was doomed.

What relationship? You spent two nights together. What the hell did you expect? A proposal?

Of course not.

“Aly? You’re thinking way too hard this early. You’re making my brain hurt.”

“You’re right. It’s too early for this.”

Vivi tipped her head to look at her. “Why do I get the feeling we’re not talking about the same thing?”

Because they weren’t and her sister was no fool. “I need to break it off. Tell him it was nice while it lasted and cut ties.”

“Uh-huh.”

Aly shot her sister another glare. “And what does that mean?”

“Doesn’t mean a thing.” Vivi shrugged, pissing off Aly even more. “I think you’re totally right.”

Of course, she was right.

Then why is it so hard to breathe?

“It would never work out.” Aly took another sip of coffee and watched her sister nod.

“Uh-huh.”

“I just need to let this go.”

Her sister nodded sagely. “Yep.”

“You’re totally mocking me, aren’t you?”

Vivi shrugged but her lips twitched. “Maybe a little.” Then she rolled her eyes. “Jesus, Aly. A blind person could see how much you like the guy. So you won’t be able to jump his bones every night. If he likes you as much as he seems to, he won’t be a prick and cheat on you. He’ll wait for you and you can send disgustingly sweet texts every day, and when he’s on a road trip, you can send him tit pics.”

About to open her mouth and protest, she snapped it shut when Vivi started to laugh.

“Okay, maybe no titty pictures. But, Aly…live a little. Life doesn’t only happen in this little bubble of our house and the hospital. Hell, even Mom and Dad figured that out. And now, I’m going to bed. I have used up all my brain power and need to recharge.”

With a wry grin, Vivi headed out of the kitchen.

And Aly sipped her coffee, wondering how to break a two-decade habit of being a stick in the mud.

* * * * *

“Hatch, come in and close the door and take a seat.”

Stone-faced, Riley followed Coach’s orders Thursday morning and slipped into the chair in front of the desk. Still angry with himself for a shitty practice this morning, he figured he was headed back to Reading and the Redtails.

The guys would probably be glad to see him. At least he had that to look forward to.

“Tough morning. You struggled to hit the net, had some trouble making passes.”

“Yes, sir.” His jaw locked against the need to make excuses. He didn’t have any. He’d sucked. Maybe self-sabotage. Maybe nothing more than a bad morning. He only knew one thing. He—

“Well, hopefully you’ll play better tonight.” Coach smiled. “We’re adding you and CJ to the third line. We like what you add to the team. Your grit and determination and his speed, combined with your ability to work together, are exactly what we need right now.”

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