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“It’s not my fault he can’t focus on the game,” I muttered.
But underneath the anger and frustration and the pain of our argument, I felt another, more selfish emotion.
Satisfaction.
It was satisfying to know that I could distract one of the best tight ends in the league just by existing. It made me feel… special. Even if he had said so out of anger.
He was right, after all. I had no idea what kind of pressure he was under. Just trying to imagine being in his shoes, performing on national television and then giving interviews to a room full of journalists, made me want to shrivel up and hide.
I walked up to my apartment and decided I was going to text him to apologize. Even though he overreacted after the game, I didn’t like ending things the way we did. I wanted to be friendly with him, at least privately. And I did want that doggy play date with Luna.
But when I reached my floor and rounded the corner, I found Eric standing outside my apartment.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
Eric smiled with relief when he saw me. “Taylor. Can I talk to you?”
So I can be lectured by you? No thanks.
“Not really in the mood to talk,” I replied. “I don’t have much to say to you.”
“That’s fine. Because I have a lot to say to you.” He adjusted his glasses on his nose. “I’ve been wrong about everything.”
I gave a start. “You have?”
“I saw you on television today,” he went on. “Lamar and I got brunch at that little cafe by the university, and the game was on. I normally don’t watch football, obviously, but I found myself occasionally looking at the screen. And before one of the commercials, they cut to the cheerleaders for a few seconds. You were in the front row, doing some sort of dance maneuver…”
“A routine,” I said.
“Yes, a routine, okay,” he said. “I must admit: you were very good. I was impressed by what I saw. And in a flash of inspiration, I realized I was wrong.” He held my shoulders. “I haven’t treated you fairly at all. I’ve been dismissive of your cheerleading because I didn’t understand it. I should be more supportive of your interests, no matter what they are. Now, obviously I should have realized this long before now. But I suppose an epiphany is better late than never, yes?”
“I suppose so,” I said.
“The past two weeks have been terrible without you,” he said. “I’m sorry for everything, Taylor. I do not know if we were officially separated, but I know what I want.”
I held my breath as he hit me with the words I didn’t expect, and wasn’t prepared to hear.
“I want to get back together with you, Taylor.”
