Page 124 of Slap Shot Surprise
I wanted to take her chilly feet in my hands and rub them for her while she ate potato chips and ice cream on the couch. We could watchherfavorite movie this time. Then I’d carry her off to bed and massage her back, and if she’d let me, I’d give her an orgasm with my tongue or my hand or however she wanted. As manytimesas she wanted. As long as I got to hear my name on her lips while it happened.
Then she turned the camera back on her face, pushing her glasses up on her nose. “So what do you think?”
I think I should be there and not here. Or you should be here and not there. I don’t want to be apart from you anymore. Or ever again.“It looks great. He’ll love it.”
She laughed. “He knows we’re talking about him. He’s moving around.”
I smiled, but I felt like my heart was splitting in two. “I really wish I was there right now. I’m sorry I can’t help with the baby’s room.”
“That’s okay. Just get that shoulder back in shape so we can watch you play again. We miss it.”
“I will.”
Silence fell between us, and I could have filled it with so many things.I miss you. I want you.Give me a chance.
Instead what came out was, “I should go. I have a PT appointment at three-thirty.”
“Okay,” she said.
“I miss you,” I blurted.
“I miss you too, Joe.” She waited for me to say something else, but when I didn’t, she said goodbye.
I felt worse than ever.
I spent a good chunk of Saturday looking at rocking chairs again, but even though I knew what color the walls were, I felt just as lost as I had yesterday. Finally, I gave up and made a phone call right before I had to leave for the arena.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Ari. It’s Joe Lupo.”
“Oh. Hi.” Her tone wasn’t unfriendly, but it wasn’t warm.
“I wondered if I could get your opinion on something.”
“You can get my opinion on a lot of things.”
I grimaced. “Specifically, I’m calling about a rocking chair.”
“A rocking chair?”
“Yes. I’d like to get one for the baby’s room at Mabel’s house, but I don’t know what style or color or anything. I saw the room on FaceTime yesterday?—”
“I heard.”
“Oh.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I’m still not sure what to get. Can you help me?”
She sighed heavily. “I suppose I could. Do you want me to send you some links?”
“Yes,” I said with relief. “That would be perfect.”
“Do you have a budget in mind?”
“No. I don’t care what it costs. Pick something she’ll love.”
She was silent. “Joe, this might be none of my business—in fact, it is absolutely none of my business—but I’m going to ask this question anyway.”
I braced myself. “Okay.”
