Page 24 of The Art of Catching Feelings

He’d thought about it. It would be easier just to go back to something that had worked for him in the past. But part of him knew that it was dangerous to move backward, even for something as innocent as a song.

C: My brother Tim always wanted me to use “Eye of the Tiger.”

D: A classic choice. Literally the whole point of that song is to get you pumped up.

C: We grew up near Philadelphia, so the Rocky movies were important in our house. I just could never do it. Too much hubris involved in choosing what is possibly one of the most inspirational songs in sports movie history.

D: “Get’cha Head in the Game” from High School Musical is RIGHT THERE.

She dropped a link, and he clicked to watch it, oddly mesmerized by the synchronized dance moves.

C: That one might be a little on-the-nose.

D: But it’s about basketball, so no one will guess. Clever disguise.

Weirdly, he appreciated that she didn’t try to say anything like,You have your head in the game! You played great yesterday!She simply accepted what he said without making a big deal about it, made a joke, and moved on.

C: What song gets you pumped up?

There was a delay in her response, while he assumed she was thinking about how to answer. He used the time to carry his dishes over to the sink, where he washed and dried them quickly before placing them back in the cabinet. He filled a glass with some ice water before picking his phone back up, reading her message while walking to his room.

D: Off the top of my head…“Roam” by The B-52’s. Ever heard it? It’s impossible to be in a bad mood while you listen to this song.

She’d posted a link, and he clicked to listen. He recognized the song immediately—he’d heard it a bunch of times on the radio without really registering who it was by.

You’re right, he typed after the first few minutes.This song is catchy.

D: “Catchy”? No. That’s too reductive. The song is pure joy in sonic form. And I don’t have any rules limiting my ability to listen to it—the more the merrier, as far as I’m concerned. Be honest—did you dance while you played it?

Chris had slid into his bed, leaning back against his headboard with one knee up while he texted with her. Did hedance?

C: No. I don’t dance.

D: Not even when no one’s watching a la “Dance like no one is watching”?

C: No.

C: Do you?

D: When no one’s watching? Sure.

There was zero reason for him to read any innuendo in that. They were talking aboutdancing. And yet he felt his body tighten in response to her words.

C: And what if someone is watching?

D: I mean, it helps if I have a drink in me. But I like to dance. I don’t mind being watched.

They were still talking about dancing…right? Suddenly he wasn’t sure. He had no idea what she looked like, so he couldn’t picture her exactly, but something about the mere suggestion was enough to get him going. He thought about her hand in that picture, her graceful fingers. He thought about what those fingers could do while he watched.

Jesus.

D: I also belt it out in the shower, and I’ve already told you I have a terrible voice, so there ya go. Sing like no one is listening, etc.

Her mentioning being in the shower wasnothelping. But her tone was back to being lighthearted and joking, and he realized he must’ve been reading way more into what she was saying than she’d meant. He tried to think of the most deflating thing possible to get himself under control.

C: Live laugh love.

D: Exactly.

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