Page 34 of Trick Play

He glanced around. “Had I known there were options like this still within walking distance, I probably would have moved. It seemed easier to stay on campus since it’s so close to the arena. I never liked the houses where some of the other athletes live. They’re too crowded and noisy. I’d never be able to focus or sleep there.”

“Yeah.” I chuckled. “Those guys are a different breed.”

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“Are you hungry? I have pizza I can put in the oven.” It was the best I had to offer unless he wanted cereal or pop tarts. “Or I can order something.”

“Pizza sounds great, thanks.”

He was being so polite and quiet. So unlike himself. Was it because of what I said earlier, or was being in my apartment weird for him?

I opened two pepperoni pizzas and put them in the oven before taking a seat across from him. “Okay, I have a few options about things we could use and twist into what we’re both passionate about.”

He sat up. “Like what?”

Maybe calling it “a few” was being generous. I had two. And neither were what I’d call inspired.

“We both love fall. We’re a little late for the changing leaves, but we could still get a few shots if we drove around.”

He didn’t say anything, but at least he didn’t bash it as hard as I’d bashed his ideas.

“The other is kind of a take on what you said about close-up and unexpected angles of hockey gear, but we could do it with something else. Something we both like.”

“Like what?” he asked.

“Food?” I offered, realizing how lame it was as the word left my mouth.

To his credit, he didn’t laugh, but I saw his lips twitch.

“I think I like the fall idea more.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

He hesitated, “Can I tell you one of my ideas?”

“Sure.”

“Before you say no, just hear me out?”

I wasn’t sure why he thought I’d immediate shoot him down, but agreed.

“I really like the idea of going downtown.” He watched me, probably waiting for me to immediately say no, but I stayed quiet. “The bridges. I know you said no initially, but I can’t get this idea out of my head. Neither of us has a connection to them, not directly, but when I think of all the yellow and gold and the different designs, I think of possibilities. Of connections. We’re at this point in our lives when everything is about to change, but we don’t quite know how yet. To me, the bridges are the perfect symbol of that. They represent all the different paths our lives can take and how they link our pasts, presents, and futures.”

I stared at him, not quite understanding how he was able to verbalize what I’d been feeling lately and capture it so perfectly with that symbol. But giving into his idea felt wrong after battling for so long. I’m not sure I wanted him to read into me agreeing. This wasn’t reconciliation, it was acknowledging a good idea when I heard one.

“That’s perfect, Ethan.”

His brows shot up. “Really?”

“Really. I’m sorry I shut down that idea earlier. It’s really perfect, for both of us.”

He smiled and sat back. “Thanks. It might be cheesy, but I’ve put a lot of thought into this project. I really want to get it right.”

“Me too.”

We searched through the most popular bridges and the different designs to see if there were any specific ones we wanted to see. The oven timer went off, so I jumped up to pull out the pizzas.

“Your phone is ringing,” Ethan called out.