Page 89 of Shutout
My eye twitches. We both know I only win battles of will on the ice and never against her. For now, I settle for talking about the event and making plans. There’s plenty of time to interrogate her later.
CHAPTER 30
OLIVIA
On Saturday, nothing and nobody can get me out of bed. Dee and Mina try to coerce me with the promise of a nice little brunch somewhere, but I tell them I’m not feeling well and don’t want to pass this along to them. They enlist their services to do pharmacy runs if necessary, but I don’t have the heart to admit that what ails me isn’t physical. Although, I sure feel it in my gut.
Brooklyn’s leaving.
My time with him is coming to an end. I should be jumping out of my room and racing straight into his arms, kind of like he did yesterday after the game, but I have no energy.
Last night, I thought I could push through the grief twisting my gut and agreed to go to the gala with him. But today, I don’t think I have what it takes to pretend like I’m happy in front of him.
Pawing under my comforter, I bump against my cellphone half tucked under my pillow. His contact sits at the top and I bite my lip. There’s still two hours before we agreed to meet atthe mall, but there’s no way that’s happening. Not while I burst into tears every ten minutes.
Me
Hey
Can we postpone the dress shopping?
*Cookie emoji*
Sure but what’s wrong
He’s been asking non-stop since yesterday, but he’s the very last person in the planet I want to talk with about this. And especially not before he tells me the news himself.
Me
Just under the weather
*Cookie emoji*
Should I bring you soup?
Ice cream?
Period pads?
Alcohol?
Pizza?
My arms?
“Ugh.” I bury my face in my pillow and kick my mattress.
I’d love for him to bring all of the above, except for the pads because I’m not really on my period. But mostly, I wish he was here. Spooning me. His face buried in my hair. My back pressed up against him. His arms around me.
But then we’d have to talk. And I really would break this time—ugly crying, snot and everything.
Me
Just need a nap
Have a good game and don’t get hurt
I toss my phone on the night table away from me, and twist until I’m facing the ceiling. The sheets are all wrapped awkwardly around me, immobilizing me when I hear the device buzz with more incoming texts. I close my eyes and tears roll down into my hair.
