Good. Just keeping busy with hockey
I’ve been watching
Him admitting he had been watching my games put a smile on my face.
Yeah? I’m on a three-game goal streak
I know. The broadcasters tell us each game
I chuckled and replied:
Maybe instead of listening to them, you should come to a game? I can get you tickets
Those little dots on the screen danced for a long time and then finally his response came through:
I’d like that. Might even get myself a Cooper jersey this time
Even though I didn’t have jerseys I wore in games because they were team issued, I had a few given to me over the years and I didn’t mind gifting him one.
I can just give you one. I’ll even sign it
I’d like that too
A big smile spread across my face as I sent my next text.
Want to come get it now?
The damn dots danced again and then finally he sent his one-word reply:
Yes
6
Ford
It had been almostan entire week since the night Coop had come to my rescue, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him. It didn’t help that he’d texted me multiple times over the past few days. Most of the time, I didn’t respond. Not because I wanted to be rude or didn’t appreciate that he was checking up on me, but because I was trying to protect my heart.
Despite my best efforts, I found myself constantly replaying our entire relationship in my mind. Those weeks in Vermont were the happiest I’d ever known. The spark I had felt almost immediately after I met him had been undeniable, and I wished more than anything that I could go back in time and do things differently.
I knew I needed to let go of those thoughts and focus on myself. How could I ever be a good partner if I didn’t work on my issues? Thankfully, when I had called to make an appointment with a therapist, the receptionist was able to get me scheduled right away. I’d had my first appointment three days ago and had a good feeling things could turn around for me. It wouldn’t be easy, but I knew it would be worth it.
Lying on the couch, I looked for something to watch on TV. Nothing piqued my interest, so I picked up my phone to check my social media. While scrolling, I came across numerous posts reminding people to get out and vote in the upcoming election. The father of my former fraternity brother, Fallon Donnelley, was running for president, and if the polling was to be believed, he was likely to win. Seeing that instantly had me thinking about all the problems I’d caused in college. Maybe one day in the future, after I figured my shit out, I’d be able to make amends for those screw-ups as well.
Just as I was about to set my phone down, a text from Coop popped up on the screen.
Hey! Just checking on you. Are you doing ok?
I closed my eyes and debated whether or not I should respond. Before I knew what I was doing, my fingers were typing a response:
Yeah. How are you?
Good. Just keeping busy with hockey
I’ve been watching
I’d caught all three games he’d played since he dropped me off at my apartment. I guess I could be considered a hockey fan now. Or maybe I was just an Emmett Cooper fan and wanted to torture myself by watching him skate across my TV.
Yeah? I’m on a three-game goal streak
