Page 29 of Retaking the Shot
I smiled and shook my head. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”
“Always, my friend.”
As the cab drove toward my place, I took out my phone and deleted my profile on the app. Tim could think I was an asshole, but online dating wasn’t for me.
11
Ford
“What are your plans tonight?”I asked, leaning against the opening of Kaylee’s cubicle.
She spun around in her office chair. “I don’t know. I want to go out, but I don’t want to deal with stupid guys hitting on me all night.”
Kaylee and the boyfriend she’d started dating after we both transferred back to the Boston office had broken up after she’d met his family at Thanksgiving. He’d claimed things were moving too fast, even though he’d been the one to invite her to his parents’ house. He was a dick, but telling her that hadn’t made it any easier for her to move on.
“We could go to Chrome,” I suggested. “None of the guys there are likely to hit on you.”
“That’s a gay club, right?” I nodded. “Have you been there before?”
I shook my head. “Not yet, but I’ve wanted to check it out.”
“Sounds like a date, then. Maybe you’ll find someone to take home,” she teased.
Though Kaylee and I had hooked up off and on while we lived in London, we were strictly friends. I considered her my best friend, and while I shared a lot with her, she didn’t know about my history with Coop or that I was still hung up on him.
In the two months since I’d last seen him, I’d attended several therapy sessions and believed I was finally healing from the things in my past. I even felt ready to start dating again. The only problem was, whenever I thought about my ideal person, I could only envision Coop. He was the one person who I ever felt truly understood me and cared about me. It wasn’t just that he had likely saved my life, but in the little things too. Like the way he checked in with me during the day while I was at work. Or ordered dinner for us after he knew I had a long day. I wanted more than anything to be the partner that a guy like him deserved.
“Let’s not get too crazy.” I laughed.
“Fine, but I’m always willing to be your wingwoman.”
“Yeah, I know. Now, what time do you want me to pick you up? I’m sure you’re going to go home and change first.”
Kaylee was obsessed with fashion and never missed an opportunity to dress up.
“You know me so well. Besides, we don’t want to be lame and get to the club too early.”
“Of course not,” I playfully mocked.
She rolled her eyes. “Meet me at my place at ten.”
“See you then,” I replied and headed back to my desk.
After I leftthe office a little after six-thirty, I stopped by my favorite hamburger joint and picked up my dinner to go. At my apartment, I settled onto the couch, burger in hand, and turned on the TV. Usually, I watched the Bruins game. Despite my complicated relationship with Coop, I’d actually become a hockey fan, and there was no way I’d cheer for another team. However, the Bruins weren’t playing, so I flipped to the Celtics game instead.
Basketball wasn’t my favorite, but my dad had season tickets, so I occasionally went to games with him. The game was just getting ready to start, and the commentators began talking about what they expected as the Celtics faced the Pistons and the players came onto the court.
The teams were evenly matched, and at the end of the first half, the Celtics were leading by six. When the game resumed, two players collided under the net and crashed into the area blocked off for the photographers. The camera panned to the group of people sprawled out on the floor just in time to see Morse, the Celtics center, offer a hand to help one of the photogs up. My jaw dropped when I recognized who it was.
Hayden Foster.
What were the chances? The one night I decided to watch a game, someone from my past, a stark reminder of a dark time in my life, just happened to pop up. It almost felt as though someone was testing me because during my last therapy session, my therapist and I had talked about taking responsibility for my past actions and the pain I caused others as an important step in my healing journey. Was the universe sending me a sign that I needed to reach out to Tyler and finally attempt to make amends? I wanted to do that, but the fear he would automatically reject any attempt on my part had me hesitating to take the next step.
Once I was over the shock of seeing Professor Foster on my screen, I checked the time. I had just enough to shower and get ready for my night out.
As I dried off, I contemplated what to wear. I’d looked up the club online and saw it had a sophisticated vibe, so I didn’t want to look too casual. I rummaged through my closet and settled on a purple button-up shirt and fitted dark gray jeans. I paired the outfit with my Oxford shoes, grabbed my black overcoat, and headed out the door.
When I got to Kaylee’s apartment, she stepped out, looking like a million bucks in her slinky black dress and heels.
