Clearly getting frustrated that I haven't responded, Marley repeats, "Baltimore is not halfway across the country from Boston. They're both on the east coast. It's not even a two-hour flight. But I suppose I'm impressed that you’re setting foot outdoors. You probably won’t even melt in the sun or start to shine like your skin is made up of diamonds."
"I told you never to bring upTwilightagain. I'm still upset that Bella chose Edward over Jacob."
Her response is a frown, her ebony curls bobbing as she shakes her head slowly.
"What? Jacob was clearly the more stable choice. Edward was too controlling." Marley and I will never see eye to eye on this one. She's a fan of the domineering alpha male, while I much prefer a cinnamon roll beta hero, like Hugh Grant in, well, anything.
"I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there again, but are you sure it’s the right thing to do?" Marley asks again. "I … I have a bad feeling about this."
I laugh. Marley'sfeelingsabout things are akin to my fear of birds. Totally unfounded and irrational. "It’s going to be fine, Marl. In fact, it’s going to be better than fine. I'm going to document the whole thing on ClikClak, so you can watch it happen practically in real time. This trip is going to be a turning point. I know it without a doubt."
I don’t mention that I'm hoping to use this trip for inspiration for my novel. I'm always on the lookout for real-life plot bunnies. Folding in realism is the best way to make my novel seem legit, provided I ever get my mojo back and can start writing again.
I'm pretty sure I see her roll her eyes. "You'd better get going if you're going to make it to Logan in time. Are you taking the T?"
I shake my head. I love FaceTime. I don't have to actually say anything, and she still knows what I'm saying. Honestly, it's one of the reasons I'm addicted to ClikClak. I can use sound bites and emojis and GIF graphics to help me find the words I need to communicate my thoughts and feelings. When it comes to actually talking, I have a habit of being … well, awkward is the adjective that comes to mind.
"I’m taking an Uber. Getting all hot and sweaty on the T is not a great look for me. It's not romantic to smell like a locker room."
"He works for a soccer team. I’m sure it’s a familiar smell for him."
I wrinkle my nose. Eww. "If that’s what turns him on, the whole trip is doomed."
I pretend not to see Marley's smirk as I disconnect. She really doesn't like Trent, but she’s not dating him, I am.
I hurriedly pull out my phone and open the ClikClak app. Taking a deep breath, I record the most personal video I've ever done. And since I've already done my hair and makeup, I don't even need a filter. My bangs, freshly trimmed thanks to a ClikClak tutorial, are on point. It would be criminal not to document a good hair day like this. Sundance, the big oaf, takes his customary perch on my shoulder, his yellow tail wrapping around my neck.
Okay, so I'm doing something crazy. Once sports started up again, my boyfriend moved to Baltimore because he works for a major team there. I only get to see him once or twice during the season, so I'm flying down to surprise him! He already told me they don't have a game until Sunday night, so he's having some friends over to his place. Can you imagine the look on his face when I walk in? OMG, he's going to be so happy! I'm going to do a series on the weekend, so make sure you tune in to see his reaction! Kisses and hugs, ’bye!
Removing Sunny from my body, I assure him that he has plenty of food and water, and that it's his job to watch the house. He responds by licking his butt. Classic.
I haul my suitcase and backpack down the long driveway and out to the street to await my Uber. I take the opportunity to add a kissy sticker and my "XOXO" trademark onto the video before posting. In addition to the trending hashtags, I add my own, including #xoxo, #liainlove, and #romanticsuprise. And then I post.
I have a small following of about a thousand people. Trent isn't one of them. At least not on ClikClak. I don't think he's even on here. But still, other people follow me. It's nothing to write home about, and my most popular video involved an unfortunate incident between my cat's weak bladder and my computer. Like I said, I generally don't have the guts to post anything really daring. The documentation of my trip is pushing me out of my comfort zone.
The bright side is that since Trent doesn't follow me here, as long as I don't post a clue on Instagram, he'll have no idea I'm coming!
Once my car arrives, I record another video.
I'm in the Uber, on the way to Logan. My flight leaves in just over two hours, so four hours from now, I'll be walking through my boyfriend's door, surprising the hell out of him. I totally love romantic surprises, and I know he will too! Are you getting excited? I am! Kisses and hugs, ’bye!
By the time I land at BWI, I have three more videos filmed and scheduled for release. The next one will be me, walking through Trent’s front door.
This is going to be epic.
Chapter 3: Xavier
"It's one night. You can take a break from being boring and stuck up for one night."
It's not polite to growl at one's trainer, especially when he's working on a particularly delicate hamstring area, so I resist the urge to tell Trent to bugger off. He's an annoying bloke, but he's an adequate AT, so I bite my tongue. I need this hamstring mess cleared up, so I’m not known as a liability, especially when the Terrors have had such a dismal season.
Schwindel, the last AT was much more palatable. I wish he'd never gone to work for Boston. He was a solid mate, but when the front office sacked the coaching staff during the shutdown, most of our athletic trainers went with them. If they start cleaning house with the players, I'll be thrown out in the bin with the rest of the rubbish.
Either way, now I'm stuck with Trent, so I’d best make nice.
"It's just a casual gathering, not some big fray, right?" I don't need any more rumors about my partying lifestyle. Image is everything, and if I hope to keep playing in the US Soccer League, I have to keep my nose squeaky clean.
I'm at a distinct disadvantage. There are strict guidelines about the number of international players that can be on the roster. Personally, I think some of these Yanks are still worked up about the Revolutionary War, but I’ll never say that out loud.
