Page 62 of The Love Comeback
“We don’t talk about that.” He shrugs.
“Uh-huh. And what do you think, Dylan?” He doesn’t look up, currently engrossed in his phone.
“Do whatever,” he mutters, his eyes still glued to his screen.
“I guess it’s settled, then.” I swallow my nerves and navigate to the text message thread with Ella. I carefully type out a message, stopping once or twice to ensure that it soundsnotpushy, extra-distant, and strictly about the game.
Me:Hey, I’m missing Colton’s game tonight. I’m pretty bummed about it. I looked online to see if it was streaming anywhere, but I guess it’s not. Would you mind recording it so I can watch it? If not, that’s totally cool! Thanks.
I hit the send button, second-guessing myself as the bubble turns blue and then immediately shows that it’s been read. Anxiety pumps through my veins as I stare at the screen.
Come on, Ella. I just want to see the game.
My mouth grows dry as the three dots pop up on the screen, and I wait for her to type something out…
Part of me is preparing for a long text, lecturing me about bothering her.
But nothing comes.
In fact, ten minutes pass, the plane takes off into the evening, and I’m still staring at a completely blank screen. I suppose no answer is an answer. Trying to push away the disappointment, I set my phone down in my lap and shut my eyes, attempting to will myself into a nap of sorts. However, as soon as I start to drift off, my phone begins to vibrate in my lap, and I’m startled awake. I almost silence it, but then choose to pick it up to see who’s calling me.
But it’snotjust a phone call.
It’s a FaceTime call. From Ella.
My heart pounds as I slide to answer it, unsure if it’s a buttdial or on purpose. It takes a second to connect, and I adjust my earbud right as the noise of the crowd nearly explodes my eardrum.
I quickly turn down the volume as Ella’s face goes from pixelated to clear. “Hey,” I say, the word coming out as more of a question than a greeting. “What’s up?”
“Hey,” she replies slowly, her cheeks slightly blushed. I try not to think about how gorgeous she looks with her hair half-up and her natural makeup done. “I was thinking maybe you’d like to watch the game live. It might be easier than me recording the whole thing and then figuring out how to get it to you. Is now a good time?” She seems a little shy as her eyes bounce away from the screen and back to it.
“Uh yeah, this is totally cool,” I tell her, trying not to show too much of my excitement—about the fact that Ella is FaceTiming me. “We can make this work, but you definitely don’t have to,” I add quickly.
“No, no,” Ella mumbles, fumbling with the phone. “I don’t mind at all. I just need to get this camera switched around so that you can actually see the game… They’re about to start right now…” The phone screen switches from showing Ella’s face to the rink, and I brush away the moment of longing.
I swear, I could stare at Ella all day long.
However, as soon as the whistle blows and the game starts, I get lost in the moment, watching Colton skate like a pro. He works his position perfectly, and I cheer him on as quietly as possible, trying not to disturb my teammates on the plane.
“Go, Colton, go!” Ella’s voice fills my ears, and I smile as the camera shakes in her hand. She’s caught up in the moment,and I lose the view of Colton scoring a goal. It’s fine, though. Hearing Ella cheer him on is just as good. “He’s so talented,” she says from behind the camera.
“He is,” I agree. “He’s very talented. I’m really impressed with how well he’s playing. You’d never know this is his first year, El.”
“I know.” She beams and then sighs. “Well, actually, I guess Idon’tknow, but it’s clear that you taught him really well. It’s showing on the ice. I’m proud of him.”
“Me, too,” I say, my voice thickening. I stop myself from saying anything more than that, turning my attention back to the game. For the next hour, I watch it play out, with Colton scoring three more goals. We cheer for him every time, and about halfway through, Cam and Blaze join me, all three of us lost in little league hockey.
“I never knew this could be so entertaining.” Blaze chuckles, leaning over as a kid wipes out on the ice.
Ella gasps in my ear, but the rest of the guys can’t hear her reaction. It warms my heart that she’s so concerned for the kid’s wellbeing. That’s the way a mom should be, and I’ve always known that Ella would make the best mom. She’s just got that sense about her.
“Dude, they’re unstoppable,” Cam breathes. “And I hate to say this, but Colton is totally carrying the weight of the team. He’s got major talent. I bet he’ll be an all-star if he keeps after it.”
“Do you really think so?” Ella’s voice chimes in my ear. “Do you think that he can be that good? I don’t want to get his hopes up…”
“If he keeps working hard, then yes,” I answer her, taking a deep breath. I don’t know why the topic of the future suddenly feels like a weight on my chest, but the realization that I might not be a part of Colton’s future hits me like a freight train. It’s a heartbreak in and of itself, but I don’t let it on. “I’m really excited to see where hockey takes him, Ella.”
“Me, too,” she replies, and while I can’t see her face, I can hear the smile in her voice.
