Page 51 of Soulmates and Slapshots
I clear my throat before continuing. “You made your choice, and now I’m making mine.”
There’s a long silence before I add. “There’s nothing more to say. Thank you for the reference. I truly wish you all the best. Good-bye, Joshua.”
And with that, I end the call.
A rush of relief floods through me. I didn’t even realize how much I needed to get that out. The frustration and the second-guessing are gone. Well, maybe it’s not gone, but it’s released. And it feels good.
I sit for a moment to gather my thoughts then reach for my phone again and scroll to Hayley’s contact.
She answers almost instantly. “Hey! I was just thinking about you.”
“Really?” I ask, eyebrows raised. “Have you talked to Joshua?”
“No, I swear,” she replies quickly. “Why? What’s going on?”
I tell her about the reason for his call and everything I said to him.
“Wow,” she breathes. “That’s…a lot.”
“Please don’t tell me I’m making a mistake,” I say before she can say anything else. “I’m not changing my mind.”
“I won’t. I promise.” she assures me. “Anyway, I was thinking about Halloween. This is the first year in a long time we aren’t celebrating here in the city.”
Halloween? Honestly, I haven’t even thought about it with everything that’s been going on. I’ve really been so distracted.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I blurt out before I lose my nerve. “I’m thinking about moving away from New York.”
Silence.
“Hayley?” I ask cautiously. “You still there?”
“What do youmeanyou’re moving?” she shrieks. “Like—leaving forever? This is your home.”
I chew on my bottom lip, unsure how to explain how I’mfeeling. “I don’t know for sure,” I admit. “But I’m considering it. I’d need to find a job first…”
“You have a jobhere,” she exclaims. “And your friends, and me.”
Her words make my heart sink because I know she’s right. Leaving the people would be the hardest part of all.
“Look, I get it,” she says, a little calmer. “New places can feel exciting, but Washington issofar away. It’s not like moving neighborhoods. Have you even talked to your parents about this?”
“Not yet,” I say. This is partly because I don’t want them to think my aunt is pressuring me. Aunt Dee is my dad’s sister, but my mom and her are cordial at best. Despite this, they’ve always supported me, and I’m hoping they will continue to do so no matter what I decide.
“And what about the hockey player?” Hayley asks.
I roll my eyes, though I know she can’t see me. “Whatabouthim?”
“So you’re telling me this sudden move hasnothingto do with him?”
“There are a lot of things influencing my decision,” I reply defensively.
“Fiona, I love you like a sister,” she says, her tone softening again. “Just promise me you’re not making a rash decision. Come back and then figure things out. You might feel differently when you’re here.”
“I haven’t decided anything yet,” I remind her gently.
“Okay. Good.” Her voice is still laced with worry.
“In the meantime, I sent an email to Ed. Just asking for direction, seeing what my options are.”
