Page 158 of On His Team

Bowling Green scores first. Mackey gets us even. They go up again in the second. Marsh ties it. Then we give them one more.

3-2.

We lose.

Five minutes into the locker room, Benson starts talking about tomorrow. Where they’re beating us. What needs to change. Stanley is already pulling clips on his phone before we get out of our gear. Nobody is interested in feeling sorry for ourselves anymore. We’ve done enough of that.

Back at the hotel, Mackey showers first. I’m sitting on the edge of the bed with one sock on when my phone buzzes.

Gianna: I have decided Bowling Green is a stupid name.

I smile.

Me: That’s your analysis?

Gianna: Yes. Very thorough.

Me: Thanks.

Gianna: Also, you looked good.

I stare at that.

Me: Hockey?

The answer comes immediately.

Gianna: Unfortunately, yes.

I laugh.

Mackey comes out of the bathroom rubbing a towel over his hair. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing.”

He looks at my phone. Then at me. I put it down beside my leg.

Mackey grins. “That’s not the group chat?”

I shake my head.

My phone buzzes again. I pick up my phone, and Mackey laughs.

Gianna: You okay?

I think about the answer. I’m pissed. I’m tired. I’m also not interested in having a twenty-minute conversation about a loss we can do something about tomorrow.

Me: Yeah.

Gianna: Win tomorrow.

Me: Yeah.

Gianna: It’s okay to not be okay.

I stare at that.

Gianna: Goodnight.