Page 108 of Unmasking Love
“Early March, I’m not sure the exact date. Ivan negotiated the waiver out of his contract last year so he’s locked in for two more seasons here.”
“Johnny has a four year deal.” Caroline adds.
“Coaches can get fired anytime so things could change for us really quickly.” Danielle adds. She seems to have accepted it.
“I see,” I mutter and then I stare off at the waves crashing the shore. Questions swirl through my head.
Does Aiden expect me to follow him to a new city if he gets traded?
What about my job?
Wes?
My new house?
The trade deadline sounds like it’s a month away. Could he really be traded anywhere in just a few weeks?
Is this on his mind?
Why haven’t we talked about it?
Is Aiden not as serious about me as I am about him?
“Oh, Johnny just texted.” Caroline’s announcement pulls me from my thoughts. “They’re headed back to their rooms for naps.”
“Time to go ladies! I love afternoon naps!” Ivanna claps as she stands.
“I wonder if I can convince Coach to take a 'nap'?” Danielle says, pausing to use the air quotes. The girls giggle.
I pack up my bag and follow them to the car. The hotel the team is staying at isn’t on the water, it’s inland, closer to the arena. The ride isn’t too long but it’s long enough for me to feel the key differences between me and these women.
First, they all understand the game in a way I don’t.
Secondly, they don’t work. Well, I guess Caroline is still teaching but she said she was going to leave as soon as she got pregnant.
Third, it seems their significant others open up to them. They all seem to know the stakes and the pressure the players face.
Aiden has shared a little more about hockey now that he’s helping with strategy. He’s excited about his work and he tells me about those discussions. But I don’t know his training regime or have his game schedule memorized. I don’t know any of his stats.
Am I supposed to look them up myself? Or is he supposed to share them with me?
I hate that one afternoon with the girls has rattled me so much. I feel like I haven’t gotten anything right.
I want to be a supportive partner for Aiden. I want to understand the game so he can talk with me about it.
We all go our separate ways when we get to the hotel and I head upstairs to meet Aiden. I knock on the door and moments later he swings it open wide.
His smile shines and just seeing him erases some of the worry I’m carrying.
“What’s going on?” He asks as he pulls me into the room. I guess I didn’t mask my unease fast enough.
“Nothing, hi.” I force a smile. Maybe too hard because he levels me with an expectant look. “What? I’m fine.”
“You’re fine?”
“Yep, totally and completely fine.” I set my bag down on the chair in the corner.
“So something is wrong.” Aiden says as he places his hands on his hips. I can tell he’s trying to ease the tension that is undoubtedly rolling off my shoulders but I wasn’t ready to have this heart-to-heart with him.
