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Parker is here with me too. He was invited to help cover the Stanley Cup games and to help provide analysis, conduct interviews, and offer insights.
I agreed to give him exclusive interviews as usual, but that was before I knew he had a gambling problem.
We met at the airport a few hours before the flight.
Elsa is meeting us later because she has a therapy session before the flight.
“Dude, I can’t do this!” Parker places his hands on his head, still in panic. “Why did I say yes?”
Chilling at one of the many lounges within the airport, I look at him, cross my arms and say, “You shouldn’t have said yes. You should be focusing on getting better, Parker. I’m glad you are going to those gambling meetings, but don’t lose focus, okay? Don’t get sucked back into betting. Anyway, now that you said yes, you need to take responsibility, and do the best job you can, alright?”
Parker sits by my side, still clawing his scalp, and looking up, cries into the heavens a plea for help.
“You’re going to kick it out of the park, dude,” I say, massaging his shoulder.
“I’m not so sure,” he says in complaint.
“It’s a big deal, yes. But don’t overthink this. Plus, wasn’t you who wanted to reach national news by the end of the year?”
“Yeah, but…”
“No buts!” I cut him off.
“How are things going with Elsa? She seems happier lately and mom absolutely can’t stop talking about you dude,” he says, changing the subject.
I smile, “Well she makes me plenty happy so I’m glad to hear she is too. And she is amazing. Thank you for being understanding about us.”
The voice of the airport announces our flight will begin boarding soon, and I look around, full of longing, for the one I truly want to see there.
“She told us she just got through security, so she’ll be here any minute dude,” Parker says with a smile.
“I know, I know,” I say, looking over my shoulder anyway.
“Harvey!” I hear Elsa call out my name and see her running toward us. When she reaches us, she wraps her arms around me for a kiss, making me the happiest guy around.
“You sure know how to cut it close!” I say, holding her by the shoulders, barely able to contain my smile.
She waves a hand at my worry. “I am just bringing a carry-on since we’ll be there less than a week, so I didn’t even have to check anything in.”
She leans her head against my chest, and I hold her, kiss the top of her head, and welcome her with my body as with my whole spirit.
Meanwhile, Parker looks at us awkwardly then coughs and says, “Hi, Elsa.”
“Hi, Parker!” she replies, giggles stuck in her throat.
And then we begin boarding.
As we walk onto the plane, hand in hand, I’m assured that all is fine.
After all, I’m heading out to play for the Stanley Cup with my incredible girlfriend by my side.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
ELSA
Theplaneismakingme feel even more sick than usual and this bout of nausea is worse than I’ve ever had before.
“Are you okay?” Harvey touches my arm, noticing my distress.
