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“For sure. I can totally help you out. You should also talk to Liam; he’s dating my friend Skylar, the one with the five-year-old son. Maybe the kids can play together sometime, and Sky is a wealth of knowledge on what to do with kids in this city,” I relay.
“That’s a good idea. Right now, I got a babysitter for Syd, but they aren’t meshing,” he admits.
“When it comes to babysitters, I don’t have a clue, but we can book some training sessions in the gym. We can do some stretching and strengthening.”
“That would be great. I’d like to be able to stay here in America,” he confides. “Not much waiting for us back home.”
“Where are you from in Canada?” I ask because I think it’s important to build rapport with the players.
“Vancouver, British Columbia,” he says.
“Right, the Canucks,” I say the name of the NHL team from that city.
He laughs. “Right, I didn’t think you’d know it.” .”
“I grew up around hockey. I know all the teams,” I explain.
“Right, your dad is Coach.”
“Yup. You know we got a busy schedule coming up. We’ve got Tampa, then Minnesota, Vancouver is after, but we’ve got some days in between and I’ll be travelling with the team. Let me review your records. I’ll set some training time up while we are on the road.”
“Thanks so much, Patty. I do appreciate it,” he says.
“No worries, and take care.”
Connor gives me a tilt of his head and turns to leave. I get back to work.
We are in town tonight. Then we hit the road. There are some days in between we can make a day or two pit stop in New York, but the schedule is going to be go, go, go.
I get a text from Evan.
Evan:What are you up to later?
This has become the norm between us. We check in. We have fun banter. That is where the line is drawn. Well, except when I fell asleep at his place a few nights ago when we were hanging out. Evan picked me up and placed me in his bed and then he went to sleep in his guest room. He could’ve put me in his guest room but he said the sheets and pillows weren’t as comfortable because they were never used and he wanted me to have a good night’s rest. Evan is sweet. He’s a good friend.
Me:I need to take you out to dinner. I’m always at your place and you’re always treating me for takeout.
The balls roll.
Evan:I don’t care.
Me:I know you don’t. But I do.
Evan:Fine.
Me:Great. Pick you up at 7?
Evan:Works for me.
Me:See you then.
I get back to work. I have a lot of planning on my part for the team’s therapy since we will be on the road. Lately I’ve been spending most of my time with Jamie at work, unless I’m treating the players.
Evan is the only person I’ve seen outside of work. I promise myself to make time for the girls next week when I’m home on one of the nights. Mom is also itching to have me over, so I need to make time for her too. Now I understand how demanding life was for Dad when he was a professional hockey player and now as a coach.
The day goes by in a whir. I leave work early because I want to head home to get changed for dinner. When I told Evan I’d take him out, I felt like it needed to be a nice place. He’s ordered in all kinds of fancy take-out meals for us, I owe him.
Heading back to Brooklyn is a pain in my ass because the restaurant I booked is here in midtown. I just figured all the good restaurants are here, and I want Evan to know I appreciate him as a friend. I get home and take a very fast shower. I don’t wash my hair since I washed it last night. I do run my fingers through and straighten it out a little before taking a curling iron and adding some curls. Then I apply some mascara and add a touch of blush to my cheeks. I see my tan from summer has pretty much faded as I add on some peach lip-gloss. I head to my room wrapped in a towel and stop as I pass Skylar and Crew’s old room. I added some weights for training, along with some exercise mats and balls in there, but it still feels depressing and empty. It’s gotten to a point I hate living in Brooklyn. I sigh. It’s helped I’ve been spending so much time at Evan’s, and convenient in the sense I go to see Skylar and Crew before heading over to Evan. Skylar and Crew go to sleep earlier and Evan’s apartment is almost across the hall from Skylar.
