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I lightly punch his shoulder. “There will be someone else, Ryan,” I try to reassure him, hoping my growing interest in Mia is well hidden. “And you’ll be an even better boyfriend after what you have learned with Mia.”
Ryan nods yet again. “Yeah,” he says softly. “I think you're right.”
I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and we lapse into a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. Knowing he’s over Mia, I can’t help but feel a growing interest in her.
Coach’s whistle signals practice is resuming.
“Just know that I’m here if you ever want to talk.” With a final nod, I skate away from the boards and rejoin my teammates on the ice.
When Coach blows the whistle to end practice, I head over to the locker room.
The first thing I do is reach for my cell phone and listen to an audio message from Senna, saying he can’t wait to see me play.
“I’m excited to see you too, bud!” I send an audio message back. As the guys pour in, many of them also reach for their phones. I decide to video call Amanda and see Senna.
I step outside the locker room for some privacy. I’m still a sweaty mess from training, but the person who answers the video call is used to seeing me like this. “Hello, Ethan,” Amanda says, sitting on the couch in her hotel room. She then looks over her shoulder, calling, “Senna! Your father’s on the phone!”
Amanda decides to make small talk. “Did you run into Mia today?”
I nod. “I saw her earlier today. She dropped off some of Ryan’s things while Senna and I were at his hotel room visiting him. I saw Ryan again at practice.”
“Really? And how was he?” Before I can answer, Senna appears on screen with a loud “Dad!” and jumps around Amanda, who hands him the phone.
“How are you doing, buddy?” I ask cheerfully. Raphael, the right defenseman, heads out of the locker room, and seeing Senna on the screen, stops to talk to him.
“Hi, Senna!” Raphael says with a wave.
“Hi Uncle Ray, my daddy plays better than you!” Senna says giggling.
“Ow, burn!” I mess with Raphael, pointing a finger at him.
Raphael laughs, and before leaving, comments, “I wanna see you playing against me in a few years, Senna.”
Senna gives him a thumbs up in response and Raphael leaves, waving goodbye and shaking his head good-naturedly.
“Wish I could drop by to say goodnight, bud, but I won’t be able to see you until after the game tomorrow.” Senna nods in understanding, and I continue, “Can’t wait to see you!”
“For a win?” Eager eyes look at me, very big and lively.
“For you? Always.” Senna jumps in place, fist bumping the air. “Pass me to your mom.”
He hands the phone back to Amanda, yelling a “Buh-bye, dad!” and still jumping around. Amanda immediately asks, “What did Ryan say?”
“Ryan said he’s over Mia,” I answer, amused.
Amanda then slaps her forehead, and with a resounding “Duh!” continues, “That's another example of you being a bit slow on the uptake!”
Confused, I ask, “Hey, are you saying I am slow?”
“A little,” she smiles. “But it’s endearing. You look like you need a shower and good night’s rest, so I’ll let you go. See you tomorrow, Ethan,” Amanda says with a smile and then hangs up the call.
I head back into the locker room, store my phone in my locker, and head to the shower.
This is going to be a long weekend, surrounded by testosterone, but only one person will be on my mind.
Chapter Five
MIA
