Page 210 of While You Were Trending

I knewI wasn’t in the best shape of my life, but I didn’t expect to hurt quite this badly after three days of working out with the Thrusters.

It’ll make a great documentary though.

All of that whimpering and grunting I’m doing, the way I can barely talk for the camera for all of the panting as my lungs readjust to this level of activity—yeah.

The masses watching this will be laughing their asses off.

But at least I’ll get sponsorship offers, even if they’re from medical supply stores advertising topical pain relief creams and oxygen tanks.

“Gonna live?” the Thrusters’ captain asks me as I grunt to myself while sinking onto the bench in the dressing room before morning skate.

Lavoie’s a good guy.

Most of the time.

He’s an ass with the way he’s grinning at me right now though. Makes me not unhappy for the times I fought him when we were on opposing teams.

I lift a middle finger.

He chuckles. “Still look good out there, Foxy.”

I grimace.

Don’t quite believe him despite knowing he’s telling the truth.

Hockey—it’s like riding a bicycle.

My body still knows all the right moves, and I’m falling into the groove again quickly.

This week’s the week my skills are waking back up and my muscles are remembering the level of conditioning I’m capable of.

And tomorrow night, I’ll be on the ice with the team when they take on Massachusetts here at home.

Just for warm-ups, but it’s a step.

I almost didn’t tell Ginny last night. Didn’t want to say it out loud and jinx it. But the minute she picked up the phone and I heard her voice, I blurted it out.

She had fun with herI knew you could do itsandyou’ll be starting soons.

I soaked in the sound of her squeals and belief in me.

Lavoie drops to the bench beside me and pulls off his shoes.

“Heard you almost said no,” he says.

We’re alone. Shade’s not even here yet.

“Asking if I’m committed?” I ask Lavoie.

“Are you?”

No.

No, I’m not.

My heart’s in Sonoma.

I talked to Ginny until I fell asleep last night, and I’ll call her again as soon as morning skate’s over, when I’m sure I won’t wake her. Just like I have every day since I got here.