Page 68 of Hooking the Captain
No I’ve been back. Now wish I wasn’t
His words confused me as I read the text. What the hell did that mean?
Why’s that?
Remember what I told you about high school?
I sucked in a quick breath and typed back:
Yeah. Why?
I ran into that asshole after your game
Worry washed over me as I remembered how torn up Ford had been when he’d told me the story at his grandparents’ house. If sharing what happened back then had left him a crying mess in my arms, I couldn’t imagine what seeing the guy again would do.
Are you okay?
No I’m not okay Coop!
No matter what Ford and I had been through, I’d always cared for him. He never did me wrong other than keep his past with Hayden and Tyler a secret because he didn’t want it to taint what we had. I understood and hated how things had played out between us.
I sat in the chair in front of my locker and replied:
Let’s go for a drink
Already doing that. Thanks anyway
Ok then let’s go have wings or something. I’m starving
I wasn’t really hungry because I’d had a post-game feast before my shower, but I was worried about Ford and wanted to see him in person.
I took some sleeping pills. I’m just going to go to sleep and forget this night happened. Have a good night Coop
Every alarm bell was going off in my head. Ford was drinking, and he’d taken sleeping pills. That wasn’t a good combination and could potentially be deadly.
Instead of texting back, I hit the button to call him. As it rang, I grabbed my things and headed for the door.
“Come on, Ford. Pick up,” I urged out loud.
The phone rang for what felt like an eternity, each passing second adding to the worry building in my chest.
Finally, just when I feared that Ford wouldn’t answer, the call connected. His voice was slurred as he answered. “Coop?”
“Ford, you’re drinking and took sleeping pills?” My heart raced as I rushed through the halls toward the garage.
“Yeah, why?”
“Because that’s not good.”
“I’m fine. Just a little sleepy.”
“Are you at your parents’ house?” I asked, anxiety gripping me. I had no idea where his parents lived exactly, but I needed him to tell me an address or something.
“Nah. I have my own apartment,” Ford mumbled. “You wanna come over?”
“Yes!” I shouted and pushed open the double doors. “Give me the address. I’m coming over.” Instead of going to my truck, I raced out of the garage and to the street, searching for a taxi. I wanted to be able to jump out of the car and race to Ford as quickly as possible and not have to find a fucking parking spot.
Ford hesitated for a moment before providing his address. I kept the call connected as I typed it into the notes on my phone. “Stay there. I’m on my way,” I assured him.
