Page 38 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
She only knows that he’s my fake boyfriend and we hang out whenever our schedules allow it. Which turns out is fairly often.
I’m not spending the weekend alone with him, I reply.We’re meeting up with a bunch of people he knows. A romantic weekend for two, it’s not.
Not that I want a romantic weekend for two. We’re just friends. Friends who happen to kiss. That’s all.
Mom has responded to my email asking if she can talk to Muumu about her scheme to hook me up with Joni. All I get is a message that she’s going away for the weekend. She doesn’t mention who it’s with though. And since I don’t want to bring up how I’m going away for the weekend with Kyle, I let her email slide.
And finally, I read the email I had missed when I first scanned my unopened messages. It’s from my university regarding my fall clinical experience.
Dear Ms. Philips,
We’re sorry to inform you that Westbrook High School is no longer able to offer you the clinical placement for the fall due to funding cutbacks. We are doing our best to find you an alternative practicum.
I stare at the screen, unable to believe it. This had been a great opportunity and now it’s gone. And worst yet, all the best placements went early. Chances aren’t good the university will be able to line me up with something similar.
I reread the email several more times. Nothing changes. It really is true. I’m currently short a clinical placement. A clinical placement that is not only necessary for experience, it’s necessary for me to graduate next year.Shit.
I shutdown my laptop. As I pack up my stuff to leave for the soccer field, my phone pings.
Kyle:You’re currently fantasizing about me…True or false?
The corner of my mouth twitches up.Maybe,I type back. I had thought about him several times today, even though I probably shouldn’t have. Against all my plans, Kyle is getting under my skin. I haven’t decided yet if that’s a good thing or not.
We’re just friends, I remind myself once again.
Me:You’re getting all hot and steamy over this text…True or false?
I hit send before realizing how lame it sounds. Ugh.
Kyle responds as I walk out of the cafe.Maybe. You?
Well, considering I’m walking to the soccer field to tape a bunch of players’ ankles…
Kyle knows what I’m referring to. I told him about it after we “made up.”
He doesn’t send me any more texts. A slight twinge of disappointment zaps me like static. I’m not sure why. It’s not like I’ve ever had phone sex or sent sexts. I have no idea what to do.
And it’s not like I would actually do that with Kyle. It’s not like that between us.
Right. Because he never went down on you.
Inwardly, I roll my eyes at the voice. It was a one-time thing. From what I’ve seen of him, he’s a player. I wouldn’t be surprised if his text to me was just foreplay before he heads out for the bar with his roommate to pick up more one-night stands.
The new twinge of disappointment hits me harder than before. I do my best to ignore it and practically run to the field where I’m meeting Joni’s team.
I arrive and Joni introduces me around. Dabria, the coach’s pregnant wife, takes me to the sideline where she has the supplies set up. “I’m so glad you can help me. For practices, we’re mostly here to provide first aid, but some of the men need their ankles taped. Joni said you know how to do that.”
“That’s right.”
She and I don’t have a chance to talk again until we’ve finished taping ankles. Then we sit back on the bench and watch her husband lead the practice. While they might not be professional players, they take the sport seriously. It’s no wonder Joni’s in good shape.
“Joni said you’re staying with your grandmother,” Dabria says.
“It’s just for the summer, then I’m returning to the US to finished my athletic training degree.” At least that was the plan until the dilemma with the canceled practicum. I do my best not to think about it, but it’s like an annoying mosquito bite that won’t stop itching.
“So nothing is going on between you and Joni?” she asks.
“He’s a nice guy, but I’m not interested in him that way.” And even if I were, I wouldn’t want to risk falling for him. Not when my heart could end up being a casualty or I could have to deal with a long-distance relationship that fades over time. It isn’t worth effort.
