Ollie is a colleague and good friend of mine. He mostly works with the Austin Legends but he takes on other clients too. In fact, I just sent a client his way to clear my schedule for Olivia. He resembles Adam Brody a little bit and he’s just as nerdy. I’m sure Olivia would love him just like she unfortunately liked Shane, but I’ll be damned if I actually send her his way so I hope the offer doesn’t backfire on me.

What feels like an eternity passes before she takes a deep breath and her shoulders visibly relax. “I’m okay, Kai. Really. Life is good. How are you?”

Thank fuck. “You know, I can’t complain.”

Her bow-shaped lips part and a small chuckle escapes them. “Really? ‘Can’t complain’ is still your favorite response when someone asks how you are?”

I just offer her an easy smile and a shrug to keep from blurting out the truth. That I used to say ‘can’t complain’ when people would ask how I was because I could never really complain about anything when I had her by my side to get me through it. That the phrase hasn’t been my go-to canned response since the day she left. That it just slipped out now because even though we’re broken and may very well be past the point of fixing, it’s still true. I can’t find anything to complain about when I’m staring into those eyes.

She shakes her head in disbelief. “Well, that’s good then. How’s the fam?”

“They’re good. Kylie is still a spoiled brat. Surprise, surprise. Mom and Dad are living their best lives. Po Po lives with me now.”

Her smile widens with excitement. “Oh, I know you two get into all kinds of trouble then. Partners in crime.”

I blink away the painful thoughts that enter my mind. That might have been true a decade ago but not anymore.

“She’s sick now. She’s got heart disease and she had a stroke a couple years ago.”

Her jaw goes slack. “I’m so sorry to hear that.” A look of guilt crosses her face, and I hate it because it’s unnecessary. There’s nothing for her to feel guilty about.

I laugh off her comment but I know she sees the hesitation there. “Okay, I have a question that’s been eating away at me.”

Nervous energy sets into her shoulders and I almost feel bad. Almost. “Umm, okay.”

“Do you still have the same pregame ritual?”

Sweet laughter fills the room making my chest tight. “What you want me to say? Don’t fix what ain’t broke,” she teases.

“I mean, are we sure it ain’t broke? I can’t help but think if you had someone to be your Monica the routine might…flow better.”

She holds her hand up in offense. “Excuse you, if I had to choose I would definitely be the Monica in that duo, but luckily I don’t have to choose because both parts are mine. And what are you trying to say about my routine?”