Page 67 of Sportsball is for Lovers

twenty-two

. . .

Sadie

Ceci wantedto go to a hockey game, so I’m at a hockey game. Vanessa is down at ice level, working, and I know Jared is around the building somewhere. He offered to get me a comp ticket, but Ceci being Ceci, that wasn’t necessary.

It’s nice to have some time with my friends. Johanna is chill and Sullivan is my bud. Rory works with his brother-in-law Josh and is slowly being brought into our circle. Bex and Elsy both have hockey ties and know the ins and outs of all the player drama. Hazel and Leah are a barrel of laughs, recounting all the hockey romances they’ve read and comparing the players to their book boyfriends.

I wish my boyfriend was here. In the three weeks since we’ve been together, we’ve gone on a handful of dates. It’s like once that initial band-aid was ripped off, so was Jared’s composure. We’ve slept together after each date since—except for one night that his sugar was a little high, and he needed to monitor it a little more closely.

Sometimes we go out. Sometimes we stay in. One thing’s a definite: we have a good time together.

This whole relationship thing is easy. Not the relationship interpersonal stuff, but the simple act of being in the relationship. I like having someone I can talk to about my thoughts and feelings, someone who cares about my wants and needs. It’s different with my friends and with Yoni.

With Jared… it means more. I can’t really describe why, just that it does.

And yes, I like having someone I can call for sex on demand. That part’s pretty great, too.

I miss you, Jared’s texted.

My heart melts. I’m sure I have a schmoopy look on my face because Sullivan laughs and snaps a photo.

“You’re ridiculous,” he taunts.

“Go to hell,” I toss back, smiling at my phone screen.

Someone shuffles through the row ahead of us. Even though it’s intermission, it’s still annoying. I open my mouth to bitch at them and stop.

Because Jared is standing in front of me, a cup of beer in one hand and a bucket of popcorn in the other.

“Thought you might need some snacks,” he says.

“What are you doing here?” I demand.

Sullivan reaches forward and takes the beer, passing Johanna the popcorn bucket. Jerk. That’s mine.

But I can’t say anything, because my brain is going haywire at the sight of my boyfriend.

“Don’t you have to work?”

“I’m taking a quick break,” Jared says, his eyes bright. “Did you get my text?”

My heart is in my throat as I nod dumbly.

“I missed you, too,” I say quietly.

“Good thing I knew where to find you.” He winks outlandishly and I laugh.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” chants the crowd.

I look up to find the Kiss Cam trained straight on us.

“So, how ‘bout it?” Jared teases.

Yanking him forward by his team polo, I bring him to my level and kiss the ever-loving shit out of him. My arms wind around his neck and he reaches for me, half-lifting me out of my seat and supporting my weight as he kisses me back.

My whole world explodes and then narrows in on this moment, this infinite bliss. Jared is like a breath of fresh air. He makes me believe that love really is possible, that it’s an actual possibility for me.