Page 51 of Hooking the Captain
About us?
About us. About everything. I can’t stop thinking about how I screwed up something amazing
You did, Ford. Secrets and lies do that
As I leaned on a wall in the corner, it was like the entire nightclub disappeared as we continued to text.
I know. I never meant for things to unravel like this. I was scared
Scared of what?
Losing you, but it backfired, and now I’m stuck in London with a broken heart
We both have broken hearts. You’re not the only one hurting
I get it. I deserve that. But I’m coming home for Christmas. I was wondering if we could meet up?
Seriously? After all that’s happened?
I understand if you can’t forgive me, but I need to see you. Face to face. Please Coop
I thought about what might happen if we were to see each other while he was in town. I knew it wasn’t for the best because even if we parted ways after more closure, it would only hurt me more. But I still replied:
Ok. Hit me up when you’re back home
14
Ford
Heathrow Airport was crowdedand chaotic, as one would expect two days before Christmas with people rushing around and the constant announcements blaring over the speakers. After checking my suitcase and going through security, I eventually found my gate and settled into a spot by a window so I could watch the planes take off and land. I was headed home to Boston, and I couldn’t wait to see my family, but even more, I couldn’t wait to see Coop.
When I’d sent him a drunk text the day after Thanksgiving, I hadn’t expected him to answer. I also hadn’t expected us both to admit we were still hurting from our break up. At first, it seemed he harbored a lot of anger toward me, but I had felt a small glimmer of hope when he’d agreed to meet up when I returned to the States.
While I waited to board the plane, I pulled my phone from my pocket and texted my parents to let them know my flight was still scheduled to land on time. I also wanted to text Coop, but it was still early in Massachusetts, and I didn’t want to wake him. Instead, I scrolled through my social media accounts; the endless stream of holiday photos made me even more eager to get home.
When the gate attendant announced it was time to start boarding, a notification from my mom popped up on my screen.
Your grandparents came to town and are coming with us to pick you up. We’ve all missed you so much
Her text put a smile on my face. Although I enjoyed my job and was learning a lot, being so far away from my family had been harder than I’d expected.
Once on the plane, I found my seat and prepared for takeoff. The hum of the aircraft’s engines slowly faded into the background as my thoughts drifted back to Coop, as they often did. I shut my eyes and envisioned his face. It had been far too long since I’d seen him in person, but I could still vividly recall his warm brown eyes and how his face lit up with a smile every time we were together.
When the plane was up in the air, I looked down at the city below me and couldn’t help but wonder how it was going to be when we saw each other again face to face. Would we get the opportunity to rekindle things between us? Or would it turn into another fight about the past? The uncertainty clawed at my insides, but beneath it all, I held out hope that the time apart had done some good and he was ready to give our relationship another try.
I wanted nothing more than for us to work things out.
Eight hours later,the plane touched down at Logan International, and as I stepped off the aircraft, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to let Coop know I was in town. Opening my text messages, I pulled up his contact and sent:
Hey! I’m back in Boston. Do you still want to get together?
He didn’t respond right away, so I made my way to baggage claim, where my parents and grandparents were waiting for me with smiles plastered across their faces. My grandparents rushed over and hugged me while my mom looked on, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness.
“You guys didn’t need to come in,” I said. “I figured I’d meet you outside.”
Grandpa grinned. “These two”—he pointed between my mom and grandma—“couldn’t wait any longer and demanded we come inside so we could see you as soon as possible.”
I laughed because that sounded exactly like something the two of them would do. “I’ve got to grab my suitcase, and then we can get out of here.”
