Page 13 of Body Checking
He lets out and“oof”and rubs his arm but doesn’t slow down.
“Keep it up and next time I shove my foot up your ass,” I shout at him and it has everyone around us turning their heads.
When they see it’s me yelling, they quickly divert their eyes and go about their business. I spin on my heel and feel my phone buzz from my back pocket. Pulling it free, the screen lights up and what I see has the usual frown on my face turning upside down.
281-555-3222:Hi. This is Maren. I texted like I said I would, so now the ball is in your court. Thanks for the tickets andjersey, Coach.
The stupid ass smirk on my face won’t go away no matter how hard I try to conceal it. I decide to just let go and roll with it. I immediately respond.
Me:With the ball in my court, I plan on taking many shots. See you in a week, Maren.
Maren:Don’t say it, if you don’t mean it. >
Fuck, this woman has me giddy like a goddamn girl. Ask me if I care.
Not one. Fucking. Bit.
I WAKE to a chime from my phone, and I assume it’s Sasha because no one would dare text me before seven am for fearing of dying. Sasha isn’t afraid of anything.
I roll over and reach for my phone, my hand slapping against the wood surface, until I find it. I blink my eyes several times until the sleep is cleared and I can fully focus. It takes my brain a little bit longer to compute what I’m seeing because I just can’t believe it.
Hammer:Good morning beautiful. Getting on plane now. Can I text you when I land?
I bite my lip to hold back the scream that wants to burst free. Instead of screaming, I settle for kicking my arms and legs until I’m wrapped up in my sheets and just about suffocate myself. I take a deep breath and regroup so that I can reply without sounding like a teenage girl.
Me:Morning. Of course you can text me anytime. I do have to worklater, so I may be delayed in responding. Have a safe flight.
“Was that stupid?” I ask myself because I don’t have a pet to ask so I’m really the only choice.
Hammer:Have a good day, Maren. >
Me:Flowers?
Hammer:Yes, because I can’t be there to give you real ones. I promise to shower you with dozens when I’m back.
Me:Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.
Hammer:I mean *everything* I say to you, Maren. Remember that.
I stare at the screen for another minute, imagining what his voice would sound saying those words.
“I meaneverythingI say to you, Maren,” I say out loud, dropping my voice and trying to imitate what he may sound like. “Did that really just happen?”
“Did what just happen?” I yelp and tumble out of bed when I jump out of my skin.
My elbow hits the floor followed by my head and the rest of my body that falls with a thud, still wrapped in the sheets. I look up and spot Sasha standing in the doorway of my room.
“What the fuck are you doing here? It’s six forty-five in the morning and you know I’m not awake this early. And, why are you here?” I fight with the sheets to free myself and get angrier the more I entangle myself.
“I told you last night that I’d be here early so we could hit the farmer’s market before the crowd. You said okay. Do you not remember?”
I finally free one arm and then the other, and work to get my feet out. “No, I don’t remember. I was…I was…”
“You was thinking about getting nailed by the Hammer.” She sticks out her tongue and thrusts her hips while pumping her arms.
“Please stop. I’m seriously considering moving to Denmark to escape your brand of crazy.” I slowly push to my hands and knees, then clamber to my feet.
“You can’t run because,I will find you.” Her voice pitches high as she wiggles her fingers, imitating the actress from that one movie.
