The Lover

annon’s hand and pull him inside. When we’re out of view, I slip m

a split second, groaning,

approaching, he grabs my arm.

don’t wan

at me. I’m still wrapped around his torso when he

been the good girl who follows the rules and doesn’t take chances. I suppose I’ll always have those qualities somewhere inside me, but I

Maybe

whisper. “I got

But I can’t share you

’ve chased too much of the sun. I’ve made a fool o

s I thi

not enoug

esn’t want

se even though I haven’t

djusting my suit when a group of rowdy guys walks by, whi

pposite of how I’d feel if it were true.

and now, I think I m

r I choke on back in Florida. Nothing about Belize has made my thoughts clearer, mor

ng other people’s problems to have any of his own. But we do have problems. Problems that need to be addressed because I can’t keep livi

d ans

know where

all, I n

lves around the courtroom. I don’t know how

, when I look at him, all I see is sandy-blond hair and tan ski

relationship die. Now, I realize that

work, if we love each other

ng and dining we’re doing in Belize, all the water sports that’d m

en. But, if we’re perfect for each o

e

to me, handing me a piece of paper that shows the

the freight elevator and load a set of boxes into an eighteen-wheeler. Once he’s outside,

t clips, the last jersey and helmet I wore during the game against Calgary. The same ones I was in when I had my career-endin

e same guy says to us. He wait

nd wraps her arms around my wai

hockey and leav

ucking ready.

ldn’t be over because of an injury. It should be over because I was

want t

I step onto the ice. I want to feel the sweat in my gloves and the stick between

’t have a

get the hell

I say, “

take us to the airport. She steps out first, and I follow behind her

at

gnize. It’s my team. They’re holding out their fists, waiting for me to pound