Page 60

Clark

W e boarded the team jet to Boston, in our suits for our first pre-season game. Nia was captaining this group. Jonas had the other, which had played the Royals yesterday at home. Nerves were high, given all the things these games determined. It wasn’t just who stayed and who went, but who made up the lines.

I liked my line from last year and sort of hoped they kept mine the same. I could see them putting Grif with Nia and Pauley, though. Carlos and Grif were magic together.

“Do you want to sit together?” I asked Tenzin as he took a window seat.

He gave me a startled look, and my heart sank. We hadn’t even driven together. I’d asked about it and been brushed off, because he had something going on. He’d been at the barbeque and pool party. We hadn’t talked privately, but he’d hung out with us and spent a little time with Gwen.

Still…

I shook my head. “It’s okay. I don’t want to disturb your routine.”

A lot of players had very specific routines, like Grif Graf, who had to sat in the third row, left side. Or Carlos who always wore those little pink under eye mask things my sisters liked.

“I… I like to read on my way to games. We can sit together.” He gestured to the empty seat next to him. “My hesitation was that Gwen packed me a lunch, and I didn’t want to share. Then I remembered she probably packed you one, too.”

“She did.” I told her she didn’t have to. Our team jet had food, but she’d wanted to. It was nice that she made him one, too. For some reason him not wanting to share something she made with me stung.

I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way.

Right?

“Oooh, what did you get? Verity made me fried chicken and chocolate cookies.” Dean grinned at us from the seat in front of us. He was sitting next to Jonas.

“Verity has a nutritionist-approved recipe for chocolate cookies?” I perked. “What kind of chocolate cookies? The kind Mercy and Gwen made at their sleepover? Those were good.” Part of pre-season had been meeting with the nutritionist, who’d stressed that eating right played a huge role in performance.

While I’d tried to take care with what I ate, during the off-season I’d gotten lax. Also, Gwen kept making queso dip in the slow-cooker to have as a late-night study snack.

“Those were good. No, she made the crackly kind that’s covered in powdered sugar. It’s her big sister’s recipe,” Dean laughed. “Yeah, this snack is about as nutritionist approved as Gwen’s lasagna. That shit is tasty. I must have had three helpings on Saturday.”

Since Gwen had to make two, we’d gone shopping for the ingredients. She’d been excited to buy a special type of cheese. Also, she got ridiculously happy about olive oil.

Anything for that smile.

It seemed like I had to coax it out of her more lately.

She was taking Tenzin’s distance hard. She also was now going to therapy with someone who had experience with broken bonds, which might be contributing to her mood.

Tenzin being sweet with her at the pool party had helped. When he hadn’t come over to watch a movie with her, it made her sad again.

“It was very cheesy.” Tenzin nodded, stowing his bag. “I like the sauce.”

“Usually lasagna is cheesy.” Jonas laughed, and then gave the attendant his and Dean’s drink orders.

I ordered a lime soda and Tenzin got green tea.

“You don’t like cheese,” I breathed, getting it. Though I’d seen him try it at her urging.

“Not particularly. A little is fine. Gwen’s lasagna is eighty percent cheese.” He had a book to read again.

True. Especially when she didn’t put meat in it.

“More on national parks?” I eyed the book in his hand. “Like traveling?”

For a second, his look grew bashful. “Like all the murders and disappearances that happen. It’s fascinating.”

Gwen texted.

Gwen

Want to come to my pre-season game against UNYC? You don’t play that night.

I turned to Tenzin. “We should go to her game against UNYC. I feel bad that we can’t make her away game in Toronto.”

“I… I’ll see. Apologies, there’s so much for me to take care of before the season starts.” His look went wistful.

Dean turned around again. “Are you talking about the NYIT vs UNYC pre-season game? Given both Gwen and Ty are playing, it might be fun for a giant group of us to go. Oh, silly little tip. While you don’t have to pack Gwen a lunch for away games, I know she’d love a treat with a note on it snuck into her bag. Their meal service is usually a plastic bucket of prepackaged snacks.”

“That’s a great idea,” I replied and texted her.

Me

Yes!

Gwen

Thanks. Good luck!

Tenzin was deep into his book.

“Hey, did we do something wrong?” I said softly.

Tenzin shook his head. “Not at all. I appreciate your patience. I apologize for being so busy. The pool party was so much fun. Please continue to take care of her while I get my shit together.”

“Okay.” I got out my game buddy so I could play Go-goKart.

He was quiet for the rest of the flight, but he ate the snacks Gwen packed and texted her thanks.

On the flight back from Boston after the game, he sat with Shawn Vickers, the new defender.

“Is everything okay?” Dean asked through the seats. “Did you have a fight?”

“I… I don’t know what’s happening.” I frowned, because he was having a conversation with him.

Vickers was bald, with light golden-brown skin. He was around Dimitri’s age and had moved into our building with his wife and baby. Castle and Anders had moved into our building, too. Though Anders had lived there last season, too.

The flight was brief and I took my bike back, and when I got home, I found Gwen on the couch, playing video games against my sisters. The remnants of a taco dinner sat on the table.

She gestured to the fridge. Aww. I warmed it up.

“You won.” Gwen beamed, finishing her game.

“Barely.” I joined her and ate my tacos. “I got two assists.”

She leaned her head on my shoulder. “Yay. You’ll smash this season.”

I hoped so. When this season was over, I wanted them to re-sign me. I liked being a Knight.

“I tried talking to Tens. You’re right, I think we’ve been friend-zoned while he deals with stuff.” I sighed. While I understood, it still stung a little. We were more than willing to be with him, support him while he went through everything.

Her eyes closed and salty sadness mixed with her mint. “Is he still even going to go to the cup party with us?”

“I’m sure he will, I’ll ask him.” I hugged her.

“What do we do?” Her eyes were misty.

“Continue to give him space, wait for him to heal. You still have me.” I kissed her forehead.

“I’m so glad.”

I gave her another kiss. “You have me always."

And I wouldn’t want it any other way.