Page 22 of Iowa Intellect
Am I even his lover or was our tryst simply a one-night stand?As much as I’d like to believe that our time together meant as much to him as it does to me, I have significant doubts about that.
Besides, the horrific news he just received will likely send him into a tailspin that involves lots of booze, partying, and women. The last thing he probably wants or needs right now is a clingy, wannabe girlfriend.
As I drive home from work, it’s all I can do to keep from turning toward Brock’s house. Despite how much my mind wants to justify the house call, I know deep down that if it was any other player, I would simply check in by phone.
Instead of going to him, I force myself to head home. Knowing that one of my favorite people in the world is suffering through some devastating news makes me want to wallow in sadness for a bit.
When I get home, I put on my comfiest sweats and plop down on the couch to watch a sad movie while I sob and devour a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. If Brock isn’t going to outwardly mourn the loss of his career, my empathetic heart apparently needs to take over that chore for him.
When I wake up in the morning, I feel even worse. It turns out that sulking and rotting on the sofa is not the answer to my problems.
Although I’ve never called in sick to work before, I simply cannot summon the energy to deal with it today. After asking Shayna to promise to call me with anything urgent, I quickly sign off from the call with the surprised woman.
Deciding that a long drive might help clear my head, I climb into my car, turn up the radio, and head out on the highway. Perhaps some speed and distance are precisely what I need for some clarity around the proper way to proceed with Brock.
After forty-five minutes of driving, I pull into the gravel parking lot of a gardening shop to turn around. That’s when I discover the perfect solution that will allow me to let Brock know I care without being too pushy.
23
BROCK
Ithought it would feel worse. It should feel worse. I’ve known for a long time that my ice hockey career would likely come to an abrupt, unwanted end. I had always assumed that the day that reality crashed in would be completely devastating, and it is––to a degree.
Perhaps sensing that this day would eventually come helped me mentally prepare for it. Or maybe my worn-out body knows that it’s time for a change. Either way, I’m sad that it’s done, and I’ll probably always miss playing professional hockey, but my life is far from over. In fact, I’m pretty sure the best is yet to come.
A certain penny-killing, mermaid-doctor likely has something to do with my unwavering hope for the future.Okay, she has everything to do with it.
I may not have all the answers about my plan for the future, but I know one thing for certain. I want Dr. Caroline Wilson to be a huge part of it.
As I stand in my kitchen, finishing my morning coffee, I decide that it’s high time for me to proclaim my feelings for the beautiful woman. It may take some convincing to get her to agree to be with me, but one of the biggest obstacles standing in the way of us having a relationship has just been removed.
My inability to continue playing hockey is devastating, but it does come with a significant silver lining. It paves the way for me to be with the woman I’ve been falling in love with since the moment I first saw her.
This conversation is sure to be one of the most important of my life, so it deserves to be in person. I’m not sure if I’m ready to face the guys on my team yet, but it’s worth putting on a brave face in front of them in order to get to see Caroline. I’m too excited to speak to her to wait until she gets off work tonight.
With that decision made, I check the time on my phone to see if it’s too early to head over to the rink. A noise on my front porch draws my attention, so I hurry to the front door to see what’s going on.
It’s unlikely that kids are playing a prank this early in the morning, but I’d rather catch them in the act this time, if they are.
When I fling open my wide door, startled eyes greet mine. “Oh, sorry. I was trying to be quiet. I just wanted to leave this here for you.”
My gaze darts between the beautiful woman and the statue she’s fussing over. As soon as she plops a snazzy maroon beret on the goose’s head and adjusts the angle of the hat to her liking she says, “Ta-da! It’s Donald 2.”
I can’t stop the wide grin that spreads across my face as I join her outside and squat down to check out the thoughtful gift.
When I grab the notecard tucked under the goose’s webbed feet, Caroline says, “Oh, you can read that after I leave. I just wanted to drop him off and leave without bothering you.”
“You’re not bothering me,” I assure her as I stand and rip open the envelope, fully ignoring her suggestion that I wait to read it.
Her slanted, script penmanship is adorable and readable, making it appear very undoctor-like. I read the message aloud. “Life doesn’t always go as we originally planned, but sometimes the second and third periods are even better than the first.”
The lovely woman’s cheeks are flushed bright red when I look up from the card. She stares down at the colorful, braided rug on my front porch and says, “I know it’s silly. I just wanted to remind you that sometimes seemingly huge setbacks can actually turn out to be big blessings in disguise.”
“It’s not silly at all. It’s perfect, and I’m starting to realize just how blessed I am.”
I keep my warm gaze steady on her until she lifts her eyes to look back at me.
Tucking a long strand of hair behind her ear, Caroline says, “I didn’t intend for you to see me this morning. I look awful.”
