Page 39 of Unmasking Love
Emotional Support Man
Was it enough?
WhenHarpertoldmeshe was eating Ritz crackers for dinner I shuddered. I saw those in her pantry this morning and there were only a few left. She didn’t have much food besides baking ingredients; flours, sugars, starches of different types. No vegetables in her crisper drawer. A really old banana on the counter.
So I placed a grocery order for breakfast but didn’t think that she’d still be out of food for dinner.
We don’t look at our phones during the game, even in the locker rooms between periods. We focus. But the second the post-game speech was done I texted Harper.
It was, plenty. I’ll have left overs for tomorrow!
Good.
I try to picture Harper in her apartment. Is she on the sofa? Curled up in bed? Did she change out of her work clothes?
My brain can’t decide if Harper in the tight sweater and skirt she was in earlier is sexier than the idea of her curled up in sweats.
Caveman Aiden likes the idea of her wearingmysweats.
I shove my phone away because I don’t want to draw attention. I barely got away with saying “Lunch with Harper was nice” when I arrived at the arena earlier. I can almost feel the guys looking at me, waiting, ready to pounce.
The last thing I want to do is try to explain how I’m not dating Harper but that I’m sending her dinner and checking up on her. They’re going to ask about ulterior motives and I’m not ready to admit that I have them.
Although, it is nearly impossible to ignore them as I ride home. As I make my post-game shake. As I slide into bed and stare at my ceiling.
Before I fall asleep I search for tomorrow morning's inspirational quote. When the perfect one is ready to go I put my phone on the charger and close my eyes. Visions of Harper in the autumn sun fill my dreams
***
Hello Harper! "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." – Albert Einstein
Enjoy your morning!
I hate the number of exclamation points I just used. I think I’m forcing the enthusiasm. She probably thinks it’s fucking weird that I am sending her a motivational quote but Wes was clear in his instructions.
Morning Aiden - thanks for the quote. My favorite Albert Einstein one is "Creativity is intelligence having fun" but I like the bicycle one too.
Are all your motivational quotes cycling related?
Some are hockey related too.
LOL
I grin. I hope I really did cause her to laugh. There’s nothing I’d like more than to hear her laughing at something I said. Well, maybe there are other things I’d like to hear from her with me hovering above her but laughter is a good place to start.
***
How’s your day going so far?
Busy, but I’m eating lunch right now.
I want to yell out “that’s great!” but I refrain because I’m boarding the plane to Texas. I settle for a close lipped smile to myself and a few nods of my head.
What’s on the menu?
Lapis left overs.
They’re almost better cold.
