Page 167 of Check & Chase
“Just don’t make me regret it. I know where you sleep, Mitchell.”
After we hang up, I lie back on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzes with a text, and I grab it eagerly, heart racing as I see Emma’s name.
Emma:Made it back to Pinewood safely?
A simple question. But the fact that she’s reaching out feels monumental.
Me:Yes. Just got home from the facility. How was your day?
Emma:Busy. Good, though. Still adjusting to the Wolves’ systems, but everyone’s been welcoming.
Me:They’re lucky to have you.
Emma:Oh, about this morning… I meant what I said. Fresh start. Baby steps.
Myheart swells.
Me:Take all the time you need. I meant what I said too. I’m not going anywhere.
Emma:Except to play the Orcas tomorrow night.
Me:Well, yes. Occupational hazard. Will you be watching?
Emma:Yeah. Maya’s traveling over with pizza and beer. Apparently it’s a tradition now.
The thought of Emma watching me play fills me with happiness.
Me:I’ll try not to embarrass myself then.
Emma:Score a goal for me.
Me:For you? Anything.
She doesn’t text again. But it’s enough. More than enough for tonight.
Tomorrow there’s hockey, the playoffs, the pursuit of the Cup. But there’s also Emma watching, Emma thinking about what we discussed, Emma finding her way back to me.
Emma
Chapter Thirty-Eight
“Anderson, we need you in treatment room three. Lewis is having issues with that shoulder again.”
I nod at Coach Willis, already gathering my supplies. “I’ll be right there.”
Two weeks into my position with the Wolves, and I’m finally finding my rhythm. The players are starting to trust me, to seek me out specifically for their aches and pains. It feels good. Validating. Professional in a way my time with the Bears had stopped being after all the personal drama.
But as I make my way to treatment room three, I can’t help checking my phone for texts from Chase as I have been doing compulsively since our coffee meeting. Nothing new since last night’s post-game message.
Chase:We won. Conference finals next. Against the Wolves. How’s that for complicated?
The Bears versus the Wolves in the Eastern Conference Finals. My current team against my former one. Chase’s team against Jackson’s.
The universe has a twisted sense of humor sometimes.
“There she is,” Lewis says as I enter the treatment room. “The miracle worker.”
I smile, setting my equipment on the counter. “Let’s not oversell my abilities. How’s the shoulder feeling today?”
