Luke sighs, and I hear clicking. Then his face scrunches up. “Everything is $1700, minimum,” he says.
My stomach drops. He’s not going to spend that much just to see me, is he?
Now there’s a pit of disappointment in my stomach.
“Well, it’s not like I have any other options,” he says, and I track his eyes as they dart around his computer screen.
Wait, is he going for it?
But then he stops. “Hold up. Let me check how much it is to book with points.” He does some more clicking, darts his head around, and then faces the phone again.
“A round-trip flight is only 40,000 points for when you have a week of home games next month.”
I have no idea how much 40,000 points is worth, but Luke seems surprised.
“Are you going to get the tickets?” I ask, maybe with a little too much excitement.
Luke’s video cuts out. “Just bought them!”
I didn’t think it was possible to hear a smile through the phone, but with Luke, it’s clear. His video comes back and I’m right—the guy isbeaming. That makes me beam, too.
Luke sighs, calm and comfortable. “I’m already looking forward to it.”
“Just so you know, it isn’t that much warmer here than in Toronto.”
He waves me off. “I don’t mind. You’ll be there, so I’ll have an awesome time anyway.”
Fucking hell, my heart can’t catch a break, can it? And Luke isn’t even trying to make me hurt.
“Aw, thanks, I can’t wait,” I force out.
“Me neither, I’m so pumped!”
He’s gonna get pumped when he’s here if I have any say in it.
“Anyway, I’ll sort out the logistics later,” he continues. “How are you feeling about the game tonight?”
I purse my lips. “It’ll be a tough one. Trying to stay calm about it.”
“When do you have to get ready?”
Scratching my neck, I check the time and realize that I’m running a little late. “I should get going. I’m eating with Nils before the game.”
“Sounds good. Good luck against Gävle tonight.” Then he hangs up.
Wait.
He said Gävle without screwing up the pronunciation. I shoot him a text to get to the bottom of this.
Odd question but have you been learning Swedish?
Nej, men jeg lærer dansk
Oh, come on. There’s no way he’s learningDanish. Ugh.
Fuck off
That’s not allowed or we can’t be friends
