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Itake out my luggage and plop it on the bed at the same time the phone rings. Stopping, I see it’s my father. “Hey,” I greet him, putting the phone on speaker and walking back into the closet to start packing for my road trip.
“Hey yourself,” he bites out. “It’s been two days, and you haven’t called me back.”
“It took you two days to check on me?” I grab two suits and head back to my suitcase. “If that was Uncle Matthew, the SWAT team would have come barreling into Ryleigh’s house one minute after midnight. You guys are slipping in your old age.”
“Oh, please,” he moans. “I saw you were on the ice last night, so I figured she didn’t kill you.”
“That she did not.” I smile, thinking of her.
“That must mean she likes you?” he asks me softly.
“I hope so. She made me spend the night.” I laugh.
“How is that going to work now?” I’ve been trying not to think about that.
“For right now, I have no idea.” I sit on the bed. “I know I’m leaving for a week. I play in Winnipeg, Columbus, and then Minnesota.”
“I would never tell you what to do, but I think you need to make sure you both take time out for each other.”
“I know, Dad.” I inhale deeply. “I know.” It comes out softly this time.
“Okay, buddy,” he says, knowing I’m going to have to think it out. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will,” I assure him. “Hug Mom for me.”
“With pleasure.”
“Ewww, goodbye.” I hang up the phone, and instead of packing, I call Ryleigh, who answers after two rings.
“Well, hello, SR.” Ever since she got the bracelet I sent her, that’s been my new nickname.
“Hello, gorgeous.” I smile. “What are you doing?”
“I’m prepping for trial, the big case I have coming up,” she answers softly. “What about you? What are you doing?”
“I’m sitting on my bed getting ready to pack.” I look over at the suits sitting at the bottom of the bag.
“Where are you off to?” She sounds sleepy.
“We leave tomorrow for Winnipeg, then we have Columbus and then Minnesota.”
“Holy shit,” she whistles out, “that sounds exhausting.”
“Yeah.” I get up and walk back into the closet to grab my shoes and a couple of shirts. “You have no idea.” I toss everything into the bag. “How does your schedule look next weekend?” I ask.
“I have a couple of meetings during the week. That should let me know how the weekend will be.”
“I have two days off between games when I get back, so maybe I can squeeze in a visit,” I tell her, trying to look at the schedule and see if and when it’ll fit.
“I’ll check on my end also,” she says softly, and I hear her yawn, “but I don’t think I can swing it, to be honest. I really have to trial prep. Plus, I’m on the docket for the next two weeks.”
“Go get some sleep,” I urge her. “You worked until almost midnight last night.”
“I think you’re right,” she agrees. “I’m going to shut it down. I’ll call you tomorrow, SR.”
“Night, gorgeous,” I say and disconnect, tossing my phone on the bed.
But it doesn’t stay silent for long. Two minutes later, it rings, and when I pick it up, I see it’s my sister, Zoey.
