It’s not a bad idea, and I am not dumb enough to turn down any offers from Coach, so I readily agree. “I’d like that,” I answer. “It might even help earn me some extra credit for some of my classes.” Even if it doesn’t, any kind of practical experience is better than none, especially when my future is so up in the air.
“You’re mature for your age,” Coach grins. “It’s not a bad quality, either…which takes me back to why I asked you in here. You okay with helping the newbies get settled?”
It speaks to my Daddy traits, so I bob my head enthusiastically. “Of course. Not that the rest of the team doesn’t do what they can to help the freshmen settle in.”
“I know, but there are a couple of you who go above and beyond. I’ll be honest, it’s gonna be quite the loss for these guys when you’ve graduated. On and off the ice.”
It’s nice to be appreciated, and I tell him so as I push to my feet, feeling the natural end of the conversation drawing near. I shake his hand and add that I’ll see him for our first team meeting, before I grab my duffel and make my way through the halls and to the exit of the arena.
***
Me
Hey, just checking in, wondering how you’re doing.
The second I send the text, I want to take it back.Unsend, I think frantically at my phone, even as the little ‘read’ text pops up underneath the blue box.Unsend!
The bubbling ellipsis appears on the left of my screen, then stops. Then start again. Then stops.
Finally, a reply comes through.
Justin
I’m good, thanks. I think we’ve finally unpacked the last of the boxes.
More ellipsis bubbles appear, then three more messages follow in rapid succession.
Justin
Thank you for the other night, too. I’ve been thinking about it.
A lot.
And I know you answered a lot of my questions after we played at the club, but I have more.
My heart thumps in my chest and I start to compose a reply telling him that I’d be happy to answer any questions he has, when another message appears.
Justin
I swear I haven’t been ghosting you. I’ve mostly just been thinking.
“Aww,” I murmur out loud, smiling to myself as I delete my message draft and start again.
Me
I completely understand. You left your comfort zone and tried something new and kinky when you weren’t expecting to. Whether you liked it or not, it can take a while to process those feelings. But I am happy to answer any new questions youhave, too.
I sprawl out on the couch in the apartment I share with Izzy on campus. He’s out with some of his football buddies, so I have the place to myself. It means I can relax and focus on this conversation, which suddenly has my complete attention. Even more so when he texts again.
Justin
Can I call you?
I can’t reply fast enough.
Me
Yes, of course.
