40

You’ll be in the playoffs, I said confidently.
Thanks. He chuckled, leaning in to trail a line of soft kisses along my jaw. But if that’s true, it means we won’t really have a chance to see each other once April rolls around. Pulling back, he pecked my lips quickly, and looked into my eyes. And while phones are great, it’s no consolation for the real thing, you know ?
I lifted my hand and cupped his jaw, his six ‘o’clock shadow scratching my palm lightly as I traced my thumb along his bottom lip. Trust me, I know.
A spark of desire flashed in his eyes. Then I guess what I’m trying to get at is, I don’t think I’ll be able to find time to fly back out to Boston before the playoffs. My heart sank at the realization, because while I knew this dating thing would be tricky, it hurt to hear the reality of the situation out loud. And if you’ve been working a lot on the weekends, then maybe this is a shot in the dark, but do you think you could find time to fly out west when I’m playing at home in two weekends ?
I… I paused, trying to find the words when the main obstacle came crashing to the forefront of my mind. I don’t think I can afford it, Derrick. When I visited my parents at Christmas, that was the first time in two years I’d flown out that way.
I can pay for the ticket.
I sat up, holding the sheet up against my chest as I shook my head I can’t-
You can, he insisted, sitting up as well. Both his hands cupped my face and made sure our gazes were locked before he continued. This isn’t me using my money to buy you a new car or send you away on a spa weekend. I want to fly you out so we can spend some time together.
I know, and I want that, I do.
Then don’t focus on the fact I’m the one paying for your ticket, he said, leaning forward so that his forehead rested against mine. Focus on the fact that I’m doing whatever I can to make sure I find time to spend with my girlfriend.
His words had my heart doing backflips, which, if I was being honest, kind of terrified me. Maybe it was because I knew he was creeping behind my defenses. Maybe it was because it’d been a while since I’d felt this strongly for someone-especially when, until yesterday, I’d purposefully been holding myself back. After Derrick had unlocked the flood gates, however, my emotions had risen to the surface and there was no tucking them away again.
I can’t even begin to guess how much work you still have to do for your presentation, but if it’s at all possible to take a few days-
Yes.
His eyes widened as I cut him off and a grin blossomed on his lips. Yes ?
My own lips twitched upward, and I nodded. I’ll talk to my professor to see if I can take the Friday off, or work on the plane, but I’ll see if I can make it work.
Because while I felt this immense pressure to put everything I could into my final defense, wanting it to be the best it could be, I also knew with the way I’d been working lately, I could likely afford to take a few days off.
Great, he chirped, and I laughed. Now, he drawled, falling back onto the mattress and tugging me with him, I’ve got about ten minutes before I have to call an Uber and get back to the hotel.
Oh ? I quirked a brow suggestively. How do you suggest we spend that time ?
His lips brushed mine softly and his hands trailed down to my ass. I’m sure we can think of something.
It felt different saying goodbye to Derrick. Like it was the trade deadline all over again, except for the fact that we weren’t cutting the romantic ties between us this time. And because of that, it made things one hundred times harder.
After a slew of last second kisses before he jumped in the elevator, I was left feeling slightly off balanced, wondering what to do and how to feel. So I did the only thing I could think of-I put myself to work.
Numbers, words, and graphs danced through my head and onto the screen as I cranked out another section of my report, finally starting to see the bones of what I was working towards come together. And though I’d taken breaks throughout the day to run errands and tidy the house, when Derrick called later that night, I’d been shocked to realize it was already going on eight ‘o’clock.
Clearly I’d found the distraction I’d needed.
But after hanging up the phone more than an hour later and looking back over the progress I’d made, I realized I was a lot further along than I’d thought. Yes, there were still a few more sections to draft, and a lot of things would need to be finessed further through edits and feedback, but I didn’t need to be planning every second of my day around work.
I could afford to have fun.
Which included messaging Esme and Harper to ask if they were free to go to brunch the following morning, knowing neither of them would ever turn down a mimosa.
So, what prompted the noon booze fest ? Esme asked after our waiter had dropped off our drinks.
I lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. Does there need to be a reason ?
The pair exchanged a look. No, Harper replied, but after our chat last week, we figured we’d be seeing less of you until your defense rolled around.
Well, I may have realized I’ve been putting in a lot more hours than needed these last couple weeks, so- I raised my glass in a single cheer and brought it to my lips. -I figured I could slow things down. You know, actually enjoy these next couple weeks before I have to start stressing about what comes next.
They looked at me as though I was a total stranger.
Who are you and what have you done with our friend ?
A breezy laugh escaped me. I haven’t magically changed since you last saw me.
Maybe not appearance wise, Esme said, but something- She waved her hands in circles in front of me. -inside you did. Because we know you’re juggling a lot with your work and applying for permanent lecturing positions, and suddenly it’s like…
Trailing off, I saw the dots connecting in her head, though I kept my features neutral as I waited for her reaction.
Wait a second, she continued, scandalized at the route her train of thought had taken, did you hook up with Derrick again ?
Harper’s eyes widened, her voice hushed as she asked, Did you ?
The corner of my mouth twitched. I mean, I wouldn’t really call it a hook up, per se.
What do you mean you wouldn’t call it a hook up ? Esme rambled, both confused and excited. If you guys ended up naked while he was in town, it was a hook up. Unless… Her eyes narrowed, scanning me up and down as though she could easily find the answer. Though I decided to put her out of her misery and let my grin widen. Oh my god ! Shut up ! She leaned forward, finally dialing her words down to a whisper. You guys are dating ?
I nodded, hiding my grin with my drink as I took a sip.
Wait, seriously ?
I mean, we’re trying, I offered. I know that his job brought him out west and is going to have him hopping all over the country, and he knows I need to put my attention on finishing my PhD, but we also can’t deny that there’s something between us that distance didn’t fracture. It’s definitely not a normal situation-