I smile back. “I love you, niblet.” My heart squeezes up so tight I can’t breathe, and I blink back tears.
I search the TV screen for a glimpse of Ford, but the Storm disappear off the ice and the bench pretty damn quick. Will they interview him? I bet the media wants to ask him about that fight. So I keep watching.
It takes a little while but sure enough Ford does come out of the dressing room to talk to the media.
“Is that the kind of game you want to play?” one reporter asks.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I shout at the TV. “Dumbass.”
“Oh sure,” Ford drawls. “I love getting penalties.”
Oh, he’s pissed.
The reporters don’t seem to get it, though.
“I also love getting slashed ten times in a game,” Ford adds.
Ohhhh.
“Is that one of your worst games this season?” another guy asks.
Ford pierces him with a glare. “I let in two goals,” he snarls. “So, no.”
Ouch.
“We’re told you have a pretty strict regimen before every game. Did you deviate from that tonight?”
“What is this? Ask Me Anything? Look, this is the last place I want to be right now, talking to you. Next question.”
I wince and watch the rest of the mercifully short interview with my bottom lip caught between my teeth.
“Don’t worry, baby, he’ll never talk to you that way.” I cuddle Tilly. Or me, hopefully.
The next day I volunteer at Bright Side Animal Shelter. That’s a good thing because the animals distract me from my morose mood. There’s nothing better than puppy hugs and kisses to cheer you up.
On my way there, I stop at Bagelicious for caffeine and carbs. It’s just around the corner from my place and I often pop down here to grab coffee. The barista hands me my flat white and I step aside to wait for my bagel to be toasted.
“Andi.”
I turn at hearing my name. I blink. It’s Trevor.
“Uh… hi.”
He gives a tentative smile. “Hi. How are you?”
“I’m good…” I don’t smile back at him. What’s he doing here?
“You look great. I didn’t get to tell you that night at the awards dinner, but I like the new hair.”
“Uh… thanks.” The cut and balayage highlights were done so long ago it doesn’t seem new to me anymore.
“And congratulations, by the way. I’m sorry about how things went down that night.”
“You’re sorry?” I shake my head, confused.
“Yeah. Haven was…” He stops and rubs a hand over his mouth. “I guess I don’t need to apologize on her behalf.”
“I guess that’s true.”
