Page 56 of Off the Stick
Me: So, you admit you’ve been dreaming about me.I knew it.
Cherry: I think those are called nightmares.
Me: Hmm… as long you’re dreaming about me… you can call it what you want.
Her keystrokes stop, and I know I should redirect this conversation before things get too far off the friendship course.Plus, I want to ask her out on a date, so I need to step back and take it slow.
Me: How’s it going now that you’re back at work?
Cherry: Much better.Thanks.I like my boss a lot.I’ve made a friend in Anna, but I feel like I don’t fit in with the rest of my department.They see me as an outsider still.
Me: What do you mean?
Cherry: IDK.I’m just not at the same point in life as they are.You know… I have Lenni.
Cherry: I just get a judgey vibe from a few of them.
Me: Shit.What’s up with the haters?You’re one of the nicest people I know.
Cherry: That’s sweet.Thank you.Maybe I’m just overly sensitive.
Me: Want me to slash them with my stick?
Cherry: No fighting, Dane.I don’t want to see you in the penalty box again.
Cherry: Like tonight.
Me: I knew it!You did watch the game.
Cherry: Fiiiiine.Lenni and I watched until she fell asleep.It only proves that your hockey skills bored her to sleep.
Me: It proves to me that you like watching me play.
Cherry: Good night, Dane.
Me: Wait, wait, wait!I have something to ask you.
Cherry: What?
Me: Cale Costa’s wife, Sommer, will be in town this weekend.He invited me over to hang with them, and he asked me to bring someone.
Me: Would you come with me?It’ll be after the afternoon game on Saturday but not too late.
Cherry: Um, no.In case you’ve forgotten, I have Lenni.Duh.
Me: Let me take care of that.I really want to spend time with you.
Cherry: Maybe.I’ll have to think about it.
Me: Okay.I’ll check back on Friday.
Cherry: Sure.Okay.Good night, Dane.For real this time.
Me: Night, Cherry Bomb.And you can feel free to dream about me.
That’s the last thing I get from her, and my screen goes dark.I slip my phone back in the pocket of my pants and lean back again, settling in and allowing my heavy head to rest against the neck pillow.
There’s so many feelings tied up when it comes to Halle that it’s hard to separate the girl I once knew from the woman I know now.She’s still funny and quick-witted, but her edges aren’t as sharp as they once were.Halle is still the confident woman she always was, but she’s softened with motherhood.And that is sexy as fuck.
