TULLY
A week after Lola and I finally talked, Daniel calls on my way to the airport. I hesitate, not up for a conversation with him right now. Daniel has done amazing things for my career, but he’s only gotten pushier over time.
“Tully, my man,” he says when I answer. “How are you? I had a change in my schedule and think I might make it to New York for your game.”
“Oh, okay.” I try to inject enthusiasm into my voice. “Great. It’ll be nice to see a friendly face in the crowd…someone who isn’t wearing blue.”
Daniel chuckles. “I’ll make sure to wear something obnoxiously green.”
I snort. “I’d appreciate that.”
There’s a pause, and then he says, “So…you planning to beat the shit out of anyone tomorrow, or was the game with Martin a one-off?”
I rub the back of my neck. The bruise on my knuckles from that fight still aches when I flex. “That won’t behappening again.”
“We haven’t had much time to talk about it. Is this gonna be a problem with you and Martin? Looked personal from up in the suite.”
I exhale through my nose. “It was. He gave me crap about Lola.”
Silence stretches long enough that I check that the call didn’t drop.
“Lola?” he says in surprise. “As in…LolaLola?”
“Yeah.”
A low whistle. “That’s a blast from the past. Jesus. What…do you guys even—do you still talk to each other?”
I stare out the window, taking in the last of the pretty leaves. They’ve lasted a little longer this fall, but one good wind and they’ll be gone.
“We haven’t for years. Until recently.”
“Well, that’s a surprise. I thought we were done with Lola,” he says quietly.
My eyes narrow, not just at his words, but his tone. It landed flat, with none of his usual teasing. I wait for him to fill the quiet, but he doesn’t right away.
“You were wrecked when she left. I’m surprised you’d want to hear a word she has to say. Whatisshe saying these days? Anything that makes sense as to why she’d leave the way she did?”
My grip tightens on the phone. “No. I’m not sure she’ll ever tell me why she left. I’m gonna try to see her while I’m in New York.”
Another pause. Longer this time.
“Be careful,” Daniel says. “Know that some doors close for a reason.”
My mind turns over his words, replaying memories from that last month Lola and I had together—how she seemed sohappy, completely in love with me, and then the morning she was just gone.
“Yeah,” I say finally. My voice sounds distant even to me. “I hear you.”
“Good.” He clears his throat, switching back to business mode. “Try not to get suspended this game, all right? I’d like to watch you play hockey, not see you nearly lose your teeth.”
I force a laugh. It comes out thin. “No promises.”
Outside, Manhattan moves past the window in its usual rush. Yellow cabs back up at the light, and a guy in a suit nearly steps into traffic without looking. I’ve been to New York many times, but knowing that Lola lives here makes it feel different.
We haven’t talked since our FaceTime. I’ve wanted to call or text her, but I’ve needed some time to think about all that was said. And I wondered if she’d find a way to get out of seeing me while I’m here…if I wasn’t pushing for it.
But now that I’m here, I open our thread. I have a few minutes before we reach the arena.
Hey. I’m here. You mentioned maybe coming to the game tonight—offer still stands if you want.
