Page 38 of Everything In Between
I smile down at my phone, my heart singing a happy song to the tune of Hayes Vogt. If I close my eyes, I can still feel his touch lingering on my skin.
Hayes
I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. Would you want to meet up again sometime?
I don’t know why all of a sudden, I’m so nervous. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with him at the gala, but now that he’s proposing it—making a meetup purposeful rather than coincidental—I’m wary of putting myself out there so soon and putting him at risk of negative publicity again. I put on my brave face, shoving down any trepidation.
Jersey
Are you sure that’s a good idea?
Hayes
I don’t see how it would be a bad one.
Jersey
Did you see the headlines?
Hayes
I did. They were hard to miss. Still… my question stands.
I don’t respond right away, unsure of what to say. Worrying at my lower lip with my teeth, I type out a few responses but delete them all. Thankfully, Hayes beats me to the punch.
Hayes
I’m going to be in LA next Thursday for a game. Then I don’t have to be back to practice until that following Wednesday. I want to spend the weekend with you. Paparazzi be damned.
A burst of eagerness and longing course through my body, starting at the tips of my ears and working its way down to my toes, overshadowing my anxiety about seeing him again.
Jersey
That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.
Hayes
Thought you might like that. I could even try to secure you a VIP ticket to come to the game.
His suggestion should make me excited. Getting the chance to see Hayes do what he does best in person has been something I’ve been looking forward to. But for some reason it has me pausing. Me showing up at a game shouts “we’re in a relationship” loudly, and boldly, to the entire world. That’s making a statement—especially being only six months post breakup with Corey. Until now, whatever’s been brewing between me and Hayes has really only been mine. Am I ready to share that with the world? Am I ready for the onslaught of opinions from everyone?
Jersey
Can I call you?
Hayes
Of course.
I count down from fifteen and then tap on his contact information. The phone starts ringing, and he picks up right away.
“Everything okay?”
“Do you want everybody to know we’re in a relationship?” I ask him outright.
He pauses for only an extra second and then answers. “Arewe in a relationship?”
The ball’s back in my court. It’s a valid question that maybe only I can answer. I pick at my thumbnail. “I think if we’re not, I’d like to be.”
