Page 23 of What Should Have Been Ours

“Oh—yeah, that makes sense. Seems like your life is pretty hectic too. You probably don’t have a lot of time for a relationship either.”

“Yeah,” I reply, watching the way her mood shifts.

“Are you seeing anyone?” I ask, needing to know if I’m already too late and someone else has her heart.

Honestly, thinking about it now, I don’t know why I asked. I’m not sure I can handle it if I know someone now has her the way I’ve wanted to have her for years.

I can’t think about someone else touching her the way I used to. Being obsessed with her the way I was—am.

I don’t want to know if someone else has been sharing all the moments I’ve missed out on with her—

“No. I’m not,” she answers.

Relief washes over me.

It’s short-lived, though. Replaced with the very real and obvious possibility that just because she’s single, doesn’t mean she’ll want any of those things with me again.

Knowing I can’t handle any rejection from her, I steer the conversation back into a safe, comfortable, friendly territory.

“So…how much do you still hate sports?”

“I never said I hated sports,” she huffs.

“You said, and I quote, ‘I would never torture myself watching men barbarically throw around balls and pretend it’s not just a pissing contest disguised as an event they can make other people pay to watch’.”

“Okay, sixteen-year-old Gabrielle was a little harsh and opinionated, I will admit. She always came to watch you, though. Cheered you on from the sidelines, even when she didn’t know what was happening. Now I would say she’s more selectively appreciative of certain sporting events. Especially when there’s alcohol involved,” she retorts.

“You were always my favorite fan,” I tease. “But, selective, huh?” I raise a brow. “Does that mean there’s hope you’ll come watch me make a fool of myself in a flag football game the doctors all play in up at Bryant Park?”

She tilts her head, curiosity playing on her face now. “Flag football team, huh? Isn’t that one of those sports used as an excuse for men to pretend they could have been a real athlete?”

“Okay, ouch…but yes—that’s exactly what it is. And it’s necessary for the male ego, so don’t let them know you’re in on the secret.”

“I don’t know, Cam…”

I can see her pulling back again, but I’m not letting her off that easily this time. At this point, I’ll get down on my knees and beg for this girl to stay in my life this time, in any way possible.

I know how pathetic that sounds, but it’s the truth. We didn’t run into each other after this long just to go back to our lives without each other in them. Even if she just wants a friendship, I’ll give her anything she asks for.

And anything she’ll give me, I’ll take.

“Look, it’s just a casual hangout. Low expectations and a good time with good people. And we normally just grab dinner and drinks after, so it will be pretty laid back.”

She shifts in her seat a little, like she’s weighing her options.

“Okay, but I’m bringing a friend, and a cooler of alcohol, and your other doctor friends better be just as hot as you are, so it’s worth watching.”

“So you still think I’m hot, Gab?”

She scoffs, “Oh please, I’ve never needed to stroke your ego in that department, Cam.”

“But I always liked it when you did,” I say, winking at her.

She just shakes her head and laughs.

“I’ll text you the details, okay?”

“Okay,” she answers softly.