Page 53 of Pucking Strong

“And you don’t, right? Typical Cappy.” With that, he wanders off towards the kitchen.

“What makes you think I resemble a Capricorn?” I call after him.

He turns around, both hands raised. “Look, I don’t think either of us is sober enough to open this particular can of worms tonight, okay?”

I rise to my feet, wobbling only slighting. “Go on, tell me.”

“Fine. Where to start?” He ticks each point off on his fingers. “How about being a super serious workaholic who is inflexible, stubborn, a total pessimist—oh, and totally repressive towards feeling his own emotions?”

I cross my arms, glaring at him. “A damning list of faults, to be sure. Have I any virtues in your eyes,partner?”

He blinks, swaying a little too. I sense the exact moment he doubles the defenses on his high walls. Damn, how does he do that so fast? “I can’t remember.”

My irritation rises. “You’re lying to me. What did I say about lying?”

He groans, turning away. “Look, it’s late. And I’ve still gotta call an Uber.”

My annoyance pops like a balloon. “Wait—you’re leaving?”

“Well, yeah.”

I follow him, my heart suddenly racing. “Teddy, it’s late. We’ve been traveling all day. Where are you going?”

“My hotel.” He ducks behind the side of the couch, grabbing his blue duffel and backpack off the floor.

Alcohol and fatigue are making my brain feel foggy. “Why would you go to a hotel?”

Teddy turns, searching my face as if I’m now the one with acute memory problems. “Because Ilivethere. Or at least I was living there, remember? Vicki set me up in hotel until my unit at the team apartments was ready. But now I don’t need it because I’m moving here.”

“So then why are you leaving?”

“Because look around.” He waves with his free hand. “Do you see any of my stuff here? It’s all over at the hotel. I gotta go get it and bring it here.”

“I still don’t see why you need to do that tonight. You’re tired, Teddy. We both are. Surely it can wait until morning.”

He shifts his weight, not looking at me.

I step in closer. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m out of clean clothes, remember? We couldn’t do laundry because we were traveling, so I’ve got nothing to wear. Come on, it’s no big deal,” he adds, stepping around me. “I’ll only be gone for one night. I’ll do laundry, get my shit, and be back tomorrow. Besides,you’re a natural with Karro. You don’t need me here to do a wheelchair transfer, right?”

“No,” I admit. Because he’s right. I don’tneedhim here. Not so long as my schedule allows me to stay with Karro.

“Anyway, I’m sure you’re dying to get me out of your hair, right? Don’t think I didn’t see you climbing the walls all night having strangers in your crib. I’d take it back if I could but … well, it’s too late now,” he finishes under his breath.

I don’t even realize that I’ve followed him to the door. “Teddy …”

“Really, it’s okay. You’re a private person, and that’s totally cool. If I felt more sober, I’d just drive myself over there. But an Uber works too. Why don’t you shoot me a text in the morning, or whenever, and we’ll make a plan from there? I’ll only come back when you’re ready. That cool?”

He goes to open the door. He gets as far as turning the knob and pulling it in an inch. Then I’m right behind him. Reaching over his shoulder, I push the door shut. “Stay.”

He stiffens, hand still on the knob. I practically have him pinned between me and the door. “What are you doing?”

“Stay,” I say again. “You’re tired, and I think you’re a little drunk. I’d feel better if you stayed.”

“I need my stuff. Henrik, I gotta change my clothes.”

“I have everything you need here. Please. What’s mine is yours, you know that.” He should know it. He’s standing here now in my sweater and jeans, a spritz of my cologne at his neck.

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