Finally, he nudged my shoulder. "So?"
I laughed. "So what?"
He gave me a look. "You're really going to make me work for it?"
I twisted the cap off the water bottle. "You’ll survive."
Tannen snorted. "Good trip?"
"Yeah, it was."
Something in my voice must have given me away because Tannen's expression softened.
"That good, huh?"
"Better than good."
"I'm glad." The sincerity in his voice wasn't surprising.
"How was your Christmas?" I asked.
He leaned back against the lockers. "Quiet."
That single word told me more than a paragraph would have. Tannen's family was in Winterhaven. Normally, he made it home whenever the schedule allowed. This year hadn't worked out that way.
"Spent most of it here?"
He nodded. "Watched a couple of movies. Ordered takeout. Tried not to think about everybody else posting family photos." A faint smile tugged at his mouth. "I'll make it home next year."
I studied him for a second. "You know it's going to turn around."
His gaze shifted toward me. "That's your assistant captain’s pep talk?"
"No." I took a drink of water. "That's your best friend telling you you're still one of the best centers in the league."
Tannen rolled his eyes. "I hate when you're supportive."
"You'll survive."
"Unfortunately." The corner of his mouth lifted.
A few minutes later, the coaching staff called everyone into the meeting room. The next thirty minutes were exactly what I'd expected. Video review. Systems. Scouting reports. Travel logistics. Two games in Los Angeles. Then back to Seattle.
By the time we boarded the team bus for the airport later that afternoon, the season had settled back onto my shoulders. For years, I'd moved through that rhythm without thinking about it. It was simply my life. This time felt different. It wasn't because the routine had changed, but because I had.
I got comfortable in my seat on the charter and pulled out my phone while the rest of the team found theirs. Conversations drifted through the cabin. Somebody two rows back was already arguing about where we should order dinner after we landed.
My thumb found Kieran's name. I stared at the screen for a second before typing.
Me: Boarding. See you in a couple of days, Kier.
The reply appeared almost immediately.
Kier: Already miss you.
I found myself smiling because I'd been thinking the exact same thing since we'd left his apartment.
Me: Miss you too.
