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Todd wasn’t happy about my decision to relocate, but I think he understood While we’ve been atte-distance relationship, the stresses that are piling on top ofmore than push Todd to the bottouilt on top of what I already suffer on any given day

"…and I could probably swing next weekend," I hear Todd say

I push up from the bed, scrub my hand over my face "I’m sorry…next weekend?"

"To come visit," he says with hurt in his voice "Were you even listening to uilt "Next weekend would be good It’s the last free weekend I’ll have before we start into preseason gaet really hectic"

"Look…Vale," Todd says, and I can hear resignation in his voice "If this isn’t working for you…"

"No," I exclaim quickly, and then soften my voice "It is It will We’llwith the Cold Fury But it will settle down, I pro of his throat

Finally, with some relief in his voice, "Okay, then…I’ll fly in next Friday night and we’ll make a weekend of it"

"I can’t wait," I say, and I hate how I have to force enthusiaset a hotel…so we could have some privacy," he says in a low voice "I reallyback in the living rooe fra a little too perfectly…

I give a vigorous shake toabout Hawke I focus…ht blond hair and kind brown eyes The say he kisses, and the gentle way he…

Haasn’t often gentle He could be, but he liked it rough and tuoes toto force hts to settle down

"Yes," I say quickly and with total focus on Todd and his sweet, romantic ways "A hotel rooether"

"Awesome," he says, and the relief in his voice is alet to bed Five o’clock rolls around pretty early for ht, sweetie Take care of yourself Talk tomorrow?"

"Yes, toht"

I know et et someroo in his recliner and I can tell just froone

Dad angles his head and looks atsmile "Why were you so rotten to Hawke?"

I walk around the couch and plop down on one end Swinging , "I don’t know It’s just aard"