Page 114 of Here We Go Again

“He didn’t expect to be,” he says. “He thought they’d pair Theo with Watson and leave him off the roster.”

“That’s what Theo thought too,” I say. “He assumed they’d want him to play to see how he handles a game.”

I scan the players again, just to make sure, but there’s no sign of Theo. Jordan is playing, as is the new guy, Blake, and then Holly is in the net. But those are the only guys I see who I know by name.

A swirl of unease pushes through my stomach. I hope Theo is okay, but here lately, I’ve been less and less certain that he is.

“Hey,” Sarah says, reaching over to nudge my knee. “You okay?”

I give my head a quick shake. “Yeah, just … hoping he’s okay. His recovery has been … I don’t know. He’s had a lot of ups and downs.”

Her expression softens. “There are so many reasons he might not be on the ice tonight,” she says, her tone gentle. “He’s probably perfectly fine.”

“I’m sure you’re right,” I say. “He’s been in his head a lot lately. His hand is such a small part of his body, I think it’s frustrating him that it’s having such a big impact.”

“It’s easy to take our motor skills for granted,” Sarah says. “I broke my wrist once, on my dominant hand, and I spent three weeks feeling like I might never paint again. Logically, I knew I was fine, that I would heal, but it was so frustrating to feel a disconnect between what my brain wanted my hand to do and what my hand could actually do.”

“He’s going to be okay,” Malia says. “Training camp is just the worst. The guys are all stressed, trying to get back into the rhythm of playing again. Dealing with all the scrutiny. But it’ll settle down once the regular season starts.”

“But then the road trips start,” Jenna says. “I’m nervous about those.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Malia says. “You’ve never done this before. How long have you and Sebastian been together?”

“Five months,” Jenna says. “We started dating during the playoffs.”

“You’ll get used to the travel,” Anna says. “You just have to stay busy.”

“I kind of love it when Jordan’s gone,” Malia says. She takes a long sip of wine. “I get the house to myself, I can watch whatever I want, and the homecoming sex is the absolute best.”

“I’ll second that,” Anna says, lifting her glass, and we all laugh.

The Jaguars end up winning the game easily, so everyone is in a good mood when they say goodnight and head home. Sarah is the last to leave, and she gives me an enormous hug. “This was so fun,” she says. “You fit right in.”

“Really?” I ask. “I keep thinking about all the things I could have done differently.”

“Stop,” she says. “Everyone had a great time. And I really need you to send me your recipe for the baked brie, because it was delicious.”

“I totally will. Thanks, Sarah.”

She gives my hand one last squeeze. “Theo’s going to be okay,” she says, and I nod.

“I hope so.”

Forty-five minutes later, I’m in bed reading, waiting for Theo to text. I have an early shift tomorrow, but I’m still up, hoping I’ll hear from him before I go to sleep. But then Mia knocks once on my bedroom door before pushing it open. “Hey. You have a visitor.” She steps to the side, and Theo appears in the doorway.

“Hey,” I say as Mia leaves and closes the door. I sit up a little taller and put my Kindle on my bedside table.

Theo moves across the room and all but collapses on the futon, dropping his head onto my lap. “Sorry to just show up,” he says, his voice muffled by the blankets. He turns his face to the side. “I just wanted to see you.”

I lift my hands to his head, gently running my fingers through his hair. It’s been a minute since he’s gotten it cut, and it’s longer, curling around his ears, and I really love it. “I’m glad you’re here,” I say. “I was waiting up, hoping you’d text, but this is so much better.”

He toes off his shoes and scoots higher on the bed—my bed, he says, the one he brought over from his apartment—and I hand him a pillow. Once he’s settled, I scoot down so I can nestle into his side, and he drapes his arm over my shoulders.

I let out an exhale, feeling my body relax, all my worries and doubts from earlier this evening evaporating in an instant.

I don’t know everything. But I know this is good and right. That he’s here and I’m here and whatever happens tomorrow or the next day or the next, we’ll be okay.

“You’re working tomorrow?” Theo asks, and I nod into his chest.