Page 35 of You Had Me at Hockey

I guess I’m a hockey fan now.

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I’m shocked the next day when I have a text from Josh.

Standing in my kitchen, I stare at my phone and read it again.

Hey how are you doing? Recovered?

I’m confused for a few seconds. Then I tap in a response.How am I doing? How are YOU doing?? You kept throwing yourself in front of the puck last night!

I’m fine. Few bruises, that’s all.

Yeesh.Tough guy.

You know it.

Well, I’m fine. Back to normal. Sorry again about what happened.

My heart beats a bit faster. Is he just being polite by checking in?

No worries. So you watched the game.

Yes. Go Bears.

I get a smile emoji in return. After a moment, he messages, Glad you’re okay.

Glad you’re okay too.

I wait. And wait. Then set my phone down on the kitchen counter. Shit.

Ah well.

I could remind him about doing the hockey video. But I’m not going to. Maybe someday I’ll call him up and ask him about it, when it’s been long enough that he knows I’m not desperately trying to see him again.

I’m not playing games. Really, I’m not. I’m just protecting myself.

I take my tofu quinoa bowl into the living room to eat at my desk while I look at Instagram. The picture of me in the hospital that I shared has gotten tons of likes and comments. I resist looking at them because I know there will be ones in there saying I should have died, or stupid shit like that, although a glance tells me most of my followers are concerned about me. But I can’t get all smug about that either—if I don’t take the bad comments seriously, how can I take the good ones seriously?

Social media sucks.

Then a new notification arrives from Josh.

I quickly swipe to his message.Want to try that dinner date again?

I laugh out loud, suddenly feeling like my veins are full of fizzy champagne. And I send my reply:Yes.

This is the week we’re away. I won’t be back until Saturday. Is Saturday night okay for you?

Of course it is. I don’t have that much going on in my social life.That’s fine for me.

Great. Talk before then.

Have a good trip.

Thanks.

I stand up and do a little dance around my living room. Then I grab my phone and immediately text Kaylee to tell her what just happened.

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