I’m a little surprised by how many are from women mourning the fact that one of hockey’s “favorite hotties” is off the market, but I have to laugh at all the responses pointing out that at least there’s another one who looks just like him.
The only Instagram account I have is the one I use for my art, so at first, I debated whether it was the right platform for “relationship news.” But my content is a pretty balanced combination of work and personal stuff, so ultimately, I decided it would be fine and my followers would likely enjoy hearing the news. If nothing else, they’ll enjoy the view. Carter looks amazing in every single shot.
A few moments later, the flight attendant calls for first-class boarding, and I stand, feeling weirdlyaware,like people might be looking at me, wondering what someone like me is doing flying first class.
But as soon as I settle into my very comfortable seat, I stop caring what anyone else might think. I could definitely get used to this kind of travel.
In the seat next to me, a boy around eleven or twelve is wearing a Georgia Jaguars jersey. I lean back, wondering if there’s a player’s name on the back, but with the way he’s sitting, I can’t quite tell.
It’s not unusual to see team-branded gear or merchandise around Atlanta. Even down in Savannah where I was getting my master’s degree. The Georgia Jaguars franchise is less than ten years old, so the fact they made it all the way to the Stanley Cup championships last season really amplified the team’s local support.
Normally, I wouldn’t pay attention to player names, but now that I’m pretending to be engaged to one, I find myself curious, even a little hopeful that it will be Carter’s name I see printed across the boy’s jersey.
It feels like such a ridiculous hope. But when the boy leans forward and tugs a pair of headphones out of his bag, I read the C. Williamson across the back of his jersey and feel a tiny twinge of victory.
I have no idea what I think I’m winning, but it feels like a good sign anyway.
It suddenly occurs to me that if Iweredating Carter Williamson for real, I might handle myself differently if I found myself sitting next to a fan.
Or would I? Would I just ignore it? Would I say something?
What would Carter want me to do? I have no idea what protocol is when it comes to this sort of thing.
On the opposite side of the aisle, there’s a couple also dressed in Jaguars gear. I make eye contact with the woman, and she offers me a polite smile. “I promise he won’t be a bother,” she says. “He’s got a movie downloaded. He’s a great traveler.”
“I’m not worried,” I say, returning her smile. “Did you come to Atlanta for a game?”
She nods. “His tenth birthday.” She motions to her son. “It’s his favorite team.”
I look down at the boy. “And Carter Williamson—is he your favorite player?” This is so far outside of the norm for me. I don’t talk to strangers. I get on flights and put on headphones and tend to feel resentful if I have to make eye contact with anyone.
I don’t mind if someone talks to me.
I’m not horrible.
But I don’t seek out opportunities to interact. And yet, here I am talking to a ten-year-old about hockey.
The boy’s eyes widen. I doubt he expected me to know Carter’s first name. “He’s the best defender in the league,” he says.
“Even better than his twin brother?”
He sits up a little taller, like he’s more than ready to giveme his reasons. “It’s close,” the boy says. “But I think Carter has a better eye for the game. He’s a playmaker. He sets people up for shots that no one else can see.”
The flight attendant appears, and the boy is momentarily distracted while his parents ask him about his menu preferences for dinner, so I take the opportunity to pull out my phone and text Carter. Something tells me he’d appreciate knowing I’m sitting next to a kid wearing his jersey.
Sarah
True story. I’m sitting on the plane next to a kid wearing your jersey. He came to Atlanta for his tenth birthday so he could watch a game.
Carter
For real? That’s awesome. Do you have a few minutes before you take off?
I frown at my phone screen, not sure why he’s asking.
Sarah
I think so. People are still boarding.
