Page 25 of Playing the Neutral Zone

I’d just gotten into the chapter when my phone vibrated.Reaching for it, I saw Levi had responded.

Levi: Glad you enjoyed.

I smiled as I read his words, then stopped myself.

Scarlett: I did, thank you, I was starving.

Levi: Glad it did the job then.

Scarlett: It did, but I’m confused.How did you remember what my exact order was from pretty much any Thai restaurant?

Levi: I remember lots of things.Plus, I used to send that order to you when you were studying for your exams every year when you were in school.It was the only thing you’d eat.Hard to forget something you did many times a year for five straight years.

I softly smiled as I stared at his words on my screen.He was right.He had always ordered that for me, especially when I was in the middle of writing a paper or studying for an exam.It was my comfort food and basically the only thing I could eat when stressed.

Scarlett: I remember.Though, I’ll admit, it scares me you remember.

Levi: Why?

Scarlett: Most people can barely get their own orders right, and it has been years since you ordered food for me.

Levi: It hasn’t been that long.

Scarlett: Been long enough.

Levi: Do you still remember what I like to eat on pizza?

Scarlett: How could I forget pineapple and anchovies, enough to make someone gag…

Levi: …and it’s been how long since we shared a pizza?

I see what you are doing here, Levi.

Levi: uh huh, no comeback, exactly what I thought.

Scarlett: I’m confused.A few days ago you acted like you hated me, and in the past week you somehow agreed to get me to go out with you on a date, and you’ve ordered me dinner.Why are you doing all this?Did Scottie put you up to it?

I waited while the three dots bounced around, then stopped.I stared at the screen, wondering why he’d stopped typing.Then, figuring he must be with the guys in the locker room.I was just about to shut my phone off when his name popped up.

Levi: I wanted to, and no one put me up to anything.I told you; I wanted to make it up to you for being an ass.

Scarlett: I see.So, you say you remember things.What else do you remember that I might have forgotten?

Once again, I watched those three little dots bounce around, waiting for a response, then they stopped and started again, then stopped and started one last time.

Levi: Would you like to talk on the phone?

Suddenly, I felt hot and sweaty as I stared at his question.I swallowed hard, my hands shaking.We hadn’t talked on the phone since I’d been away at school.I didn’t know why I felt so nervous.I talked on the phone all the time at work.This was no different.I could just pretend I was interviewing him, something I did often.

Levi: Well?Time’s ticking….

Scarlett: Aren’t you with the team?

Levi: Is that no?

What was wrong with me?My skin was clammy; my heart was racing.This was ridiculous, I thought to myself as I took a deep breath.Was I still hung up on him?

I opened my browser and pulled up his sports profile and looked at some pictures of him that were attached.After looking at a dozen photos of him, I minimized the screen and moved back to our conversation.

---