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“I’m sorry, Emily. I had to come back to Salt Lake for some big meetings.” A quick glance around the room shows me that’s not really true.

“What did you do to Ava?” she asks after a long pause.

“I’m not sure exactly. She’s not happy I’m helping with the new hockey team.”

Emily groans and says, “That’s not true. You better fix it.”

I chuckle, surprised at the seriousness of her tone. “I thought you didn’t want me to be anywhere near her.”

“Yeah, well, that was before I saw heartbroken Ava.”

My smile fades and I say, “What do you mean? Is she yelling at the team?”

“No, but the only time she smiles is when we’re playing. After that, she mopes around.”

Blowing out a breath, I say, “I don’t know if I’m the reason she’s like that, Ems. She’s been through a lot, just like you. The chances of earning her trust now are non-existent.”

“What about not giving up? How much did you fight for this NHL team to get started? I know you worked hard for it because you wanted to honor Grandpa. Why can’t you do the same thing with your relationship?”

I don’t want to tell her that there hasn’t been a relationship, nothing beyond hand holding.

“You’re right. I need to fight for what I want. I guess I’m just nervous.”

“About what?” Her tone tells me she’s in full teen mode right now.

“That she’ll reject me. Again.”

Emily clears her throat and says, “Did you actually say, ‘Ava, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?’”

Her imitation of me makes me laugh and I say, “Well, no.”

“Maybe start there. Then you can see where things go.”

“I probably should’ve come to you for relationship advice a long time ago,” I say with a laugh.

“I just call it like I see it. And you both like each other.”

“When do you fly back home?” I ask, my brain already turning with ideas. This is the most hopeful I’ve felt in a while.

“Um,” Emily says, probably trying to figure that out. I could look it up, but I’m interested to see what she says. “Looks like it's late tonight. What are you thinking?”

I rub my palm over my chin, trying to put together options of what to do to show Ava that I’m a viable candidate as a significant other. That I won’t just abandon her, despite me fleeing to safety back in Salt Lake.

“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll come up with something.”

We end the phone call. I search my brain for options. How do I show someone that even though I’m busy, that I won’t be abandoning her for the latest and greatest business opportunity? That being with her is more important than all that?

24

AVA

I’m trying to change my mood, but it’s been rough for the past few days. The last tournament didn’t go as well as I would’ve liked, but the girls are young, playing up an age group, so I can’t complain.

And I can’t get Charlie out of my head. The way he looked when he knocked on my window that day and then how he was trying to talk to me. I should’ve let him continue, but I didn’t. In my mind, it was a sort of self-preservation. Now I wish I could rewind time and redo it all over again. Everyone keeps telling me I need to listen and I’ll admit it’s my biggest fault in everyday life.

“I still think you need a grand gesture,” Marsha says as we walk toward the gate at the airport.

I’m already exhausted from trying to clean up everything in Charlie’s house before we left. I’ve already threatened Marsha with her life if she doesn’t give him some money for a cleaner.