Page 120 of Crease Collision

“No.”

One Fury win so far. Three for the Condors. If we win one more, we’ll take the series.

“I am worn out,” he says. “We’ve had so many stresses this year, and now the playoffs.”

So many stresses? How much of this is on me?

“I wish I could tell you it gets better, but I’m not sure it does. The seasons and playoffs, anyway.”

He nods. “I figured.”

“All those stresses…” I struggle to find more words. Finally, I say, “I’m sorry about that. I wish I could go back and do better for both of us.”

The lines on his face deepen. “It hasn’t only been you, but I won’t lie and say you weren’t part of it.”

“I’ve been trying, Ozzy. Right now, I have to do my job.”

“I know. But we have other things to be happy about.”

“Nine days when we’ve only seen each other from 180 feet away?”

He flinches.

“This is so fucking difficult,” I say. “Much harder than I thought. Why do we have to be playing against each other?”

“Because that’s how it worked out.” He flashes something I think is supposed to be a grin. “Because we are the two best goalies in the league?”

Neither of us laughs, and it takes me a moment to say, “We probably are, but I hate what that means right now. I want to win, but I want you more. I feel like I’m not giving my best to either.”

He sighs. “I want you to win, but I want to win too.”

There’s the problem, the thing we’ve probably both thought every day.

I put a hand on his leg. “We shouldn’t feel bad. We’ve worked for this our whole lives.”

“Looks like you might get it.”

“Don’t bet on it. Last year, the Condors were up three games, then lost the last four. Pittsburgh won the series.”

“That must have been awful. There’s an old Swedish saying that goes, ‘Do not sell the skin before the bear is shot.’”

I have to run that around my mind a few times before I get it. “Oh my God. We say, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’”

We both laugh, which makes me want to cry because it feels so good.

“Both silly sayings,” he says. “But probably wise.”

“You’re right.” Reality closes back in, but at least I feel better after laughing with him. “We have to get through this, Ozzy. It isn’t fun competing against each other, but I still love you.”

“I love you too.” He hesitates. “What if it happens again next year?”

“Then it does. At least we’ll know more about what to expect.”

We sit quietly for a long time. We both want to win. After one of us does, we’ll still have each other.

“Hey.” I nudge him with my elbow and stand up. “Come on.”

“Where to?”