7. Zach
ZACH
It’s been twelve hours and I already miss her.
Rodriguez is asleep next to me on the plane with his mouth open, snoring. I should be sleeping too. Road trips mean early call times and video sessions. But I’m staring at my phone.
Me
We just took off
Mackie
safe flight
tell Rodriguez I said hi
Me
Absolutely not
Mackie
why not?
Me
Because then he’ll know I’m texting someone and he’ll never let it go
Mackie
you haven’t told him about me?
The question sits there on my screen. I could tell her it hasn’t come up, could say I’m private about this stuff. Both would be true.
Me
I’m not ready to share you yet
Mackie
that’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said to me
get some sleep goalie boy
Me
Yes ma’am
I put my phone away and close my eyes. I’m still smiling when I drift off.
We win 3-1 in Dallas. Luca’s a wall, thirty-two saves and only gave up a garbage goal in the third when the game was already decided.
I spent the entire game on the bench tracking every shot, reading the release points and the angles, running the save in my head before Luca makes it.
I can’t turn it off even when I’m not playing.
The backup’s job is to be ready, which means never stopping.
Meaning my brain is essentially doing two things at once, playing a game I’m not in and thinking about seeing Mackie again.
After, on the bus back to the hotel, I check my phone.
Mackie
congrats on the win!
Luca looked good
Me
Thanks. Didn’t play.
Mackie
I know. I watched.
Me
You watched a game I wasn’t even in?
Mackie
of course I did
you looked cute on the bench
Me
I was literally just sitting there
Mackie
I know
Adorable
Rodriguez leans over in the seat. “Who are you texting?”
I angle the phone away. “No one.”
“You’ve been glued to that thing all day.” His grin widens. “There’s a girl.”
“Mind your business.”
“This IS my business. You’re my teammate, my friend, my designated road trip buddy.” He waves his hand. “I have a right to know why you’re being weird.”
“I’m a goalie. I’m always weird.”
“Yeah but this is different weird.” He settles back in his seat. “Fine. Keep your mystery girl. I’ll figure it out eventually.”
Mackie
two more days
Me
Counting?
Mackie
maybe
okay yes definitely counting
Me
Me too
Mackie
when you get back I’m taking you on another date
Me
Where?
Mackie
it’s a surprise
Me
Should I be worried?
Mackie
absolutely
We lose in St. Louis 4-2. Luca let in a soft one in the third that clearly got in his head.
I could see it from the bench, the way he dropped too deep after the goal, overcorrecting, and then his glove started arriving late the way mine does when I’m rattled.
One mistake bleeding into the next until the whole game got away from him.
There’s nothing anyone can say to fix it.
The bus to the airport is quiet.
Me
Rough one tonight
Mackie
I saw
I’m sorry
Me
Not your fault
Mackie
how are you?
Me
Fine. Didn’t play.
Mackie
that’s not what I asked
Me
I hate watching us lose and not being able to do anything about it. Hate sitting there knowing exactly what adjustments to make and having zero power to make them.
Mackie
I know
when do you land?
Me
1am probably
Mackie
too late to see you?
Me
Never too late
Mackie
careful. I might take you up on that
Me
I’m counting on it
She ends up not coming over, she tells me to get some rest and I’m disappointed but she’s right, I’m exhausted and wired while my head still runs game on a loop.
When I wake up Saturday afternoon, there’s a message waiting.
Mackie
I have to run an errand this afternoon
want to come?
Me
What kind of errand?
Mackie
you’ll see :)
Me
Pick me up at 3?
Mackie
see you then
I have hours to kill. I sit on my couch and stare at the wall and my phone lights up every ten minutes.
Rodriguez
yo you home?
hello?
ZACH
I’m coming over
actually nevermind Dex wants food
you want food?
bro it’s been 45 minutes
are you dead
genuinely asking
I read every single one and set the phone face down.
Rodriguez can smell a girl from three zip codes away and the last thing I need right now is him showing up at my door and taking one look at my face and knowing everything.
He would never let it go. He would make it a big deal. He would probably want to meet her.
When her text comes I’m already at the door.