Page 124 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

Something I'm Grateful For Someone who reminds me I'm more than a hockey player.

I close the notebook gently.

Funny. Three months ago, I measured my mornings by practice schedules, game film, and travel itineraries.

Now...

I measure them by stretching, coffee, and whether I remembered to do my home exercises before breakfast.

Life has become unexpectedly ordinary. For years I would've called that boring.

Turns out ordinary feels a lot like peace.

***

Colby honks once as he pulls into the driveway.

Never twice.

Apparently one honk says I'm here.

Two honks say something's on fire.

At least according to Colby.

I zip my coat, grab my keys and a slice of toast, and step into the crisp morning air.

Fresh snow crunches beneath my boots.

Colby rolls down the passenger window. "Ready?"

"As ready as anyone can be for resistance bands."

"They're vicious."

"They're color-coded."

"Exactly. False advertising."

I laugh as I climb into the truck. "You've definitely been spending too much time with Liam."

"I've been spending the appropriate amount of time with Liam."

"There isn't an appropriate amount."

"Fair point."

He eases the truck onto the snow-covered road leading toward Frostholm.

For the first several miles neither of us speaks. We've never been the kind of friends who mistake silence for awkwardness.

Eventually Colby glances over. "You look different."

"I showered."

"That's not it."

I smile. "I know."