Page 89 of The Keeper
Me: But you should know that I’m going to try and figure it out. I’m gonna try to work through a few things.
Me: And in the end, no matter what happens between us… even though I hope it’s something good…thank you for showing me that not everyone lets you down. And that sometimes you can meet someone who’s worth the risk.
I sit silently and re-read the things I’ve written. The words sound stiff and formal, but they’re honest and real. I can only hope I’ve conveyed how I really feel in a way that resonates with him.
I close my laptop, switch off my light, and crawl under the covers.
And this time I fall straight to sleep.
* * * * *
When I wake up the next morning, I stumble through my routine. I eat my banana, drink my orange juice, and throw my hair up into a messy bun.
I race back up the stairs to grab my phone off the nightstand, and stop short when I see what’s on the screen.
Mack: You’re worth the wait.
And my face breaks into a smile I can’t contain for the rest of the day.
Chapter Sixteen
The next few days pass without much incident.
I go to work and chat with CC about insignificant things, even though I know she wants to push and talk about the day I stormed out of work.
I get together with Piper to work on our Psychology papers and we head to the tutoring center together to get some help.
I email back and forth with Thomas as we push forward on our joint project.
He doesn’t mention our failed date and neither do I.
I visit the College Counseling Center and book in an appointment with Regina, the same woman I met with before. She’s actually in the waiting room chatting with the receptionist when I get there and greets me by name, letting me know she’s happy to see I’m back and looking forward to meeting again.
I go to practice and conditioning.
I see Mack.
We don’t speak. But unlike Friday, our eyes linger. I feel like hope and fear and confusion radiate from both of us.
It’s encouraging to feel like I’m not alone in this.
* * * * *
“Rachel, can I see you for a minute?”
I hop up from where I’m stretching on the grass and jog over to where Coach Johnson is standing on the sidelines.
“What’s up Coach J?” I ask, trying not to pay attention to how close I am to Mack, who stands just a few feet away looking at his clipboard.
Coach Johnson sticks out his clipboard and places a whistle down on top of it.
“It’s time to start this practice coordination Coach McIntosh has been talking about nonstop for the past few weeks. He says you’re eager, so I’m assuming you’re ready to go?”
My mouth hangs open. I’d completely forgotten that Mack talked to me about this. About coaching my fellow teammates.
“I, uhh… I don’t…” I feel like a bumbling idiot, unable to form thoughts.
No, I want to say.No, I’mnotready to go.
