You sure your new team is going to be okay with you bringing two extra suitcases back on the flight ? Nyberg asked.
With my knees on top of my second suitcase to weigh it down, I finished zipping it up before glancing back at him. They’re going to have to be.
I had let my Coach know I’d be flying back with my remaining belongings tomorrow morning, though to be fair, I hadn’t specified how much. I figured I’d be able to squeeze everything into a large suitcase. Though I’d underestimated. It’d taken a trip to the department store for another suitcase to finish packing my clothes and the rest of my belongings that I’d left lying around the apartment, and even that was a tight squeeze.
Well, if you do need to lose some weight in those bags, I’ll happily take the PS4 off your hands.
I’m sure you would. I chuckled as I stood up, dusting my hands off on my jeans. In fact, I’m surprised you didn’t try to hide it and keep it for yourself.
Thought about it, he drawled before shrugging, but it’s yours. I’ll buy a new one when I get the chance.
Great. I punched him lightly in the bicep. Then I can kick your ass from across the country.
A bark of laughter escaped him and he shook his head with amusement. You’re dreaming if you think that’s true.
We’ll just have to wait and see then.
The good-natured ribbing continued-back and forth-as we each took one of the suitcases from my now-empty room and rolled them toward the door. We’d already agreed that they’d stay at the apartment for the rest of the day and I’d pick them up early before having to board the team bus to the airport.
So, do the Royals need extra practice time this afternoon to get ready to face us ? Nyberg asked teasingly. Or do you have time to grab lunch ?
You forget that I know all your moves, so you can bet we’ll be ready to put up a fight, I replied before rubbing my chin a few times with my right thumb. But, uh, I can’t do lunch.
He lifted a brow. Oh ?
Yeah, I-
My phone buzzed in my pocket, cutting me off as I pulled it out to see a message from Lia confirming we were still meeting in half an hour. And knowing how tightly packed her schedule was lately at work, I quickly shot off a reply.
I’m assuming you have other plans ?
What ? My gaze snapped back up to meet his as I tucked my phone away. Oh, yeah. I’m, uh, actually meeting up with Lia before I head to practice. While I expected some sort of reaction, it was a bit surprising to see how quickly his expression shifted. Suddenly he was looking at me like I’d been transformed into a unicorn right before his very eyes. What ?
Nothing, he replied, shaking himself out of it. Sorry, I just didn’t know the two of you were still talking. I thought, you know, you would’ve cut her loose by now with the move.
I mean, I sort of did, I admitted. But we’re friends.
He shot me a look of disbelief. Friends ?
Yeah, friends, I confirmed. And just because I’m not on the east coast because the fucking Knights didn’t want to keep me, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to toss that away.
Bringing his hands up defensively, he said, Woah, man, calm down. I didn’t mean it like that.
I sighed. I know you didn’t.
And you know I couldn’t have stopped the trade if I tried. That’s not how the league works. We all miss you here, but maybe, just maybe, Los Angeles really is what’s best for your game right now. I mean, me and some of the guys have been watching your games and you’re making a difference.
Lifting the corner of my mouth, I said, Enough to trample you guys tonight, hopefully.
Good luck getting a shot passed me, he said, hitting his chest in confidence. But back to Lia, he continued, scrutinizing my expression for some sort of hidden answers, you guys kept in touch ?
Yeah, I conceded, though held up a hand before he could cut in. But it’s nothing serious. It never has been.
Really ? he asked flatly.
Really.
Okay, okay. He nodded, though it was clear he didn’t believe me. Then tell me, how often do you guys talk ? A few times a week ? He lifted a brow. Every day ?
Uh, I don’t know. Most days, I guess.
Usually at night or during our spare moments, when the two of us weren’t neck deep in our respective work. Though I kept that to myself.
And would it be weird if you guys suddenly stopped talking ? Not a peep. Just full radio silence ?
I exhaled slowly, combing my fingers through my hair. I don’t know, man. I mean, yeah, it would be.
So, hear me out for a second, he said. Maybe you should talk to Lia about the fact that you guys are in a relationship, but you just haven’t put a label on it.
I was about to refute his words, except when I went to open my mouth, another voice spoke up in the back of my head.
What if he was right ?
Back in Los Angeles there’d been a woman or two who’d chatted me up while out for drinks with my new teammates, but each time, I’d see a text come through from Lia and suddenly any attraction I had to them was shut down. I’d chalked it up to tiredness or me simply not being interested, but what if it was more than that ?
What if I did have feelings for Lia ?
Shit.
And when Nyberg laughed, I realized I’d said that last part out loud.
It’s not the end of the world, mate.
I know, I know. I could feel my lips turn downward in a frown. I’m just not really a relationship person. Not anymore.
He clapped me on the shoulder. Oh, trust me, I know. But not all relationships end in a dumpster fire.
And how would you know ?