Page 36 of Fear of Falling

Wyatt: Not happening. I won’t take your money, Josie.

I shook my head at the phone. One thing I’ve learned about Wyatt already is that he’s stubborn. This wasn’t the first conversation we’ve had about the tickets and every single time he refuses any sort of money in return.

Before I could reply, Wyatt called me. I hesitated for a split second before answering the call and putting him on speaker.

“Hey you,” he greeted, sounding a little out of breath.

“Hey.”

“Go check your door.”

“Check my door?”

“Yeah.” His lack of details had me sitting up in bed.

“You didn’t put a snake outside my door, did you?” I swung my legs off the side of the bed and got up, smiling at the sound of Wyatt’s chuckle in my ear as I padded towards the front door.

“Nah I wouldn’t go with a snake. Maybe a spider.”

“Wyatt,” I warned, hand paused on the door handle.

“I’m kidding. Open the door.”

“I swear if there is a spider or snake, I’m hanging up on you,” I threatened. Wyatt just laughed.

Swinging open the door I glanced around before spotting a bag sitting on the floor. With a smile, I reached for the pretty blue gift bag.

“What is it?”

“Open it and find out.”

Curious as to what he left on my doorstep, I balanced my phone on my knee, before opening the bag. The first thing that caught my eye was the familiar white and blue fabric as I pulled it out.

I gazed at the number 8 jersey, feeling like I was dreaming. As though he could see me, Wyatt started talking.

“I thought maybe you’d want to fit in with the crowd.”

I clenched the jersey in my hand trying to will my heart to slow.

“Thank you. I love it,” I said softly.

“Plus, I can’t have you watch me play wearing someone else’s number.”

“Of course not,” I laughed.

“I know you need to get to work, so I’ll let you go. But I’ll see you tonight.” I was certain I could hear hopefulness in his voice, and I smiled and nodded even though he couldn’t see me.

“Good luck tonight.” Knowing he needed to get back to his workout and get ready for tonight, I forced myself to say goodbye.

As soon as the call ended, I stared at the jersey. The giddy feeling in my chest grew. I really was about to go to a hockey game wearing the team captain's jersey.

I feel like I’m in a hallmark movie right now.

“So,I have a big question to ask,” I said into my phone hours later. I juggled my phone, camera, notebook and purse as Iwalked down the street. I’d just finished photographing a local brew pub that was going to be featured inFusion Weekly.

Today reminded me of how much I loved my job. I literally got to spend the better part of today inside the brewery tasting different kinds of beers, along with food. The up-and-coming venue was owned by a younger couple that combined their love for beer and food.

It may have been an assignment for the magazine but it sure didn’t feel like one. Not with how sweet the owners were. They answered all my questions and gladly let me take photo after photo of the place. I knew for a fact as soon as word got out about the place it would be overflowing with patrons.

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