Ellie: Yeah, I have a lot of driving in the morning. Thanks for dinner again. Talk soon
I send her one last text for the night.
Me: My pleasure. Drive safely!
~
If there is ever anything I always carry on road trips, it’s my iPad. I’m addicted to playing games during the flight. I’ll download a game and play only that game until I get bored. I do have a few favorites, but I usually play new ones. Today, however, I’m in the mood for a favorite. I touch the right app and start dragging my finger all over the screen to make as many words as I can in only two minutes. The time seems to pass quicker that way.
It’s fate that I thought about my favorite diner yesterday because we’re headed to Dallas. Sometime today, I’ve got to call my mother. Or I might wait until tomorrow. Depends on how today goes. She’s expecting a call this week though. When we land, our bags are shipped off to the hotel and we head to our practice before tonight.
Afterwards, we’ll grab a bite to eat and hang out at the hotel before it’s time to go back. The game tonight should be an easy win. I usually try not to overthink about how it will go because it can always go either way. I learned early that the game really isn’t over until that last buzzer sounds. A lot can happen in as little as a second, just the same as twenty minutes time. For some reason, today feels like I don’t have time.
It feels like I’m running around all over the place. I even missed my usual pre-game nap, but it was for a good cause. Gerald decided to mess with the rookies a little. They’ve been extra observant since Whitney took their money, so it backfired on him. It was hilarious.
Finally, the game gets underway. The other team isn’t letting this be an easy win for us. I get slammed into the boards after making a pass, but it was a beautiful one and Gerald slaps it past the goalie. Within thirty seconds, they score right behind us. At the end of the first, we’re tied 1-1 and the second period passes without any goals. It’ll come down to one of us having to score in the third to keep from going into overtime.
A rookie gains possession about halfway through the third, makes his way between two others, and then pushes the puck with a wrist shot. The goalie deflects and he quickly makes the rebound shot to bring us up.
We win the game and boy, am I freaking exhausted once it’s all over with. By the time I get back to the hotel, I have enough energy to plug in my phone and crawl into bed. There’s a text from Ellie, but I need sleep. I’ll make sure to message her back tomorrow. I can barely hold my eyes open once the comfy-ness of the bed envelopes me.
Chapter Four
Ellie
When I woke up, I assumed that Hudson would have texted me back, I’m wrong. He didn’t text me at all. I take a deep breath and head into the shower. I’m a little hurt. I thought he liked me. It took me a good hour just to talk myself into sending that very first text to give him my number. Maybe he’s just a big flirt and has moved on to another girl.
I finish getting ready for work and head off. I don’t have to drive too long to work since it’s in the next town over. Jeffrey will be back from his vacation today, and I’m curious on what h
is thoughts are on my big success.
When Jeffrey calls me into his office, all he says is: “Good job, you’ll be in Portland more.”
That’s it. At least, he said ‘good job’, even if there was some sarcasm with it. I simply nod, and go about my day. I visit a few of my clients to ensure they are well stocked in supplies. I will admit I checked my phone more often throughout the day to see if Hudson texted back, he didn’t. I know one person that will text me back.
Me: I’m in need of a friend and a glass of wine. Are you nearby?
Lacey’s company keeps her traveling all over Washington and Oregon. So, I can’t be sure where she is?
Lacey: I’m not too far from you today. I’ve got one more stop. I could be at your house in an hour.
Me: See you then.
I head back to the office, finish up some quick paperwork, and then go home. I know when Lacey said ‘one hour’ she would be there in two. I don’t think that girl is able to tell time, very well.
The first time I met her at a seminar, I was hiding in the back row. She slipped into the seat next to me, ten minutes after it started. When it was over, she started talking to me, and that was how we became friends. She is the opposite of me. She is blunt, with a great personality. I’m more like a dormouse.
“I know, I’m late,” she announces, walking through my door.
“I figured.” I hand her a glass of wine, and she sits down at my kitchen table. She takes a big gulp.
“Okay, I’m ready to be a friend.” She sits the glass down and stares at me.
I smile sweetly at her. “I think I met a guy.”
She looks at me puzzled. “Before I get excited, what do you mean by, ‘I think’?”
I sit down next to her. “I met him at a bar in Portland. We talked a little. It was a nice and simple conversation. I almost pepper sprayed him, and then he gave me his number. I got the courage to text him later that night, and we chatted some more. It was all very sweet.”