Page 72 of Hat Trick
But if this is what I need to do to prove to myself that I can be with them, that I can be worthy of everything they want to give me. Well, so be it.
CHAPTER 44
DEEPLY & IRREVOCABLY
EMERSON
As I’m walking out of my Friday afternoon broadcast journalism class my phone chimes in my pocket. I expect it to be another text from Lil asking if I’ve heard from Dominic, but when I pull it out I find a message from the man himself.
Dom
Can I see you?
Holy shit. This is the first time he’s reached out to me since I left him sitting on the floor of his apartment Monday afternoon. We’ve seen one another all week at practice, and during our home game last night, but the exchanges have been brief and in no way personal.
I know he hasn’t reached out to Lil either, considering she texts me twice a day asking about him. But she and I agreed to give him some time. He needs space to come to terms with whatever he’s dealing with. Wecan’t fix this for him. Regardless of how much we want to. He has to do it himself, before he can open that heart and soul of his up to anyone.
However, his time to come to terms with this was coming to an end, because I know both Lil and I are starting to feel beyond impatient about this entire thing.
Knowing that I’m right around the corner from the music building, which is where a decent amount of his sound engineering classes are held, including Friday afternoons, I message him back.
Me
I just got out of class. I’m around the corner from the music building. Can be there in 5
Dom
I think we should talk about this in private. Can I meet you at your house? It’s closer to campus.
Don’t read into it, Emerson. Just because he wants to talk in private doesn’t mean it’s bad.
Me
Meet you there in 15
I’m about to put my phone back in my pocket when I decide to say one more thing.
Me
I’ve really missed you, Dom
Three dots appear and reappear for what feels like forever before he finally replies.
Dom
I’ve really missed you too, baby.
Baby.
That one word is enough to jump start my heart and send me high-tailing across campus. More eager than ever to make it back to the house I’ve spent so much time missing him in.
I make it back to my house in record time, only as I approach my house I find Dominic’s red F-150 parked in my driveway where he leans against the closed driver’s side door, his arms folded over his broad chest, wearing a pair of black athletic shorts and a fitted white tee. The closer I get the more clearly I can make out his stoic expression. His dark brown eyes look as if he has a million and one things rolling around in his brain, and his jaw, covered in more stubble than it usually is, is clenched tight. He looks nothing like the Dominic Foster I’ve fallen in love with, and yet, I couldn’t be more relieved to see him than I am now.
Pulling up to the curb, I don’t waste any time shutting off my Jeep and climbing out. Making my way over to him, I give him a soft smile and say, “Didn’t feel like letting me park in my own driveway?”
?1 The corners of his mouth lift, barely, and he drops his arms and pushes off his truck. “Been here a while,” is his only response.
I stop in front of him, not sure what to do and wanting him to take the lead of whatever it is that’s happening here. “I figured.”
