“I planned it out for two weeks. I practiced what I needed to say—Zelda helped. I knew I had to stick to the script, because if I veered off course, Matt would manipulate me into changing my mind. I bought my plane ticket so that I only had a very short window of time to be with Matt—I had to be back at the airport four hours after I arrived. And I made sure Leo was there, because I didn’t feel safe alone with Matt anymore.
“When I got there, he acted like nothing had changed, but I think he figured it out pretty quickly when I refused to sit down, let alone to have sex with him. I started to work my script, and he . . . cried. When he realized that I was serious and wasn’t backing down, he got down on his knees and begged me not to leave him. He said I was the only good thing in his life. I was the only one who’d never left him.” My throat swelled, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak, remembering.
“But you were resolute.” Darla’s voice was soft and encouraging.
“Yes.” I swallowed. “I was. I told him that I knew I couldn’t save him, that he had to save himself. I said that as long as I stayed with him, he wouldn’t have any incentive to get better, because I allowed him to stay in the dark place.”
“What was his response?”
“When he figured out that begging wasn’t working, he switched tactics and began screaming at me. He called me every name you can imagine, and he told me that I was nothing, that he could replace me with any, um . . .” I coughed. “Any cunt any day of the week. He said that he’d only let me stay out of pity, because I was pathetic and worthless. He struck out at every point of vulnerability he knew I had.
“And I let it happen. I stayed there as long as I’d planned, because . . . well, I told myself it was because I’d set up my ride back to the airport at a specific time, but it was really because I felt like I owed it to him. In my mind, this was the last time I was going to see him, so I needed to let him have his say. But once the alarm on my phone went off, I told him I was leaving. He followed me out of the bedroom, still shouting, and then into the corridor outside his apartment, screaming at me.
“I just about ran to the lobby and outside to where the car was waiting for me, and then I got on the plane and went home. I told myself that it was over, and that I’d done the only thing I could have.”
“And do you still believe that?” Darla shifted in her chair.
I considered for a few seconds. “Yes. I don’t think there was any other way I could have handled it. I tried to help Matt all along. I tried to talk him into getting into a program or counseling . . . and I wasn’t the only one who tried to do that.”
“You keep using the word tried. I didn’t know Matt, of course, although I’ll admit that since you and I have begun our sessions, I’ve been fascinated with his story. I wish I could have had the opportunity to speak with him. However, that being said, my suspicion is that a lot of people attempted to save Matt. What’s sad is that the one person who could’ve convinced him to change his life never really believed it was possible.” She paused. “And that was Matt himself.”
I nodded, but I couldn’t quite get out any words yet.
Darla must have sensed that, because she took pity on me, shifting the focus of our conversation. “Two weeks later, Matt made the decision to end his life. We’ve talked about this a little—about how you felt guilty that your decision to break off the relationship may have led to his suicide. But what truth do you know now?”
I exhaled. “I know that Matt is the one who made that choice. There was nothing I could have done to change what happened. I might have delayed it by sticking with him, but once he’d made up his mind, his death was inevitable. And it was the mental illness that forced him to think suicide was the only way out. No matter how much I loved him, that sickness always spoke louder than I did.”
“Yes.” Darla smacked the arm of her chair. “Now, you’re saying the words, Gia, but do you believe them? Do you feel their truth?”
I nodded. “I really do.”
“Excellent. Then let’s discuss Tate and why you ended that relationship.”
Frowning, I crossed my legs. “We’ve talked about that. A lot.”
“We have. And what conclusion did you come to about your break up?”
“I wasn’t ready.” I shrugged. “There wasn’t anything wrong with Tate, but I wasn’t emotionally able to handle commitment.”
“Yet.” Darla held up one finger. “But you made the choice Matt didn’t, and you sought help, didn’t you? Which means that you’re getting better. When you went back to your old school and spoke about Matt, you told me that you weren’t ready to see Tate again yet. How do you feel about that now?”
My heart began to thud, and my palms went sweaty. “I don’t quite know. On one hand, I miss him so much. I want to see him. But on the other, I’m scared about messing it up again. What if I see him and then I realize it’s too soon? Do I have to break his heart again?”
“I don’t think anyone would expect you to leap right back into the middle of a relationship with Tate, Gia. There’s such a thing as moderation and pacing, you know. You could see him and then let things happen from there. If he’s half the man you claim he is, I think he’d be supportive and patient.”
“I guess. Maybe.”
Darla narrowed her eyes. “What’re you honestly afraid of, Gia? Let’s get real here. What scares you about the idea of being with Tate again? Beyond just seeing him, what freaks you out about the thought of building a future with him?”
I thought about that for a minute. I wasn’t worried about how Tate would treat me. He wasn’t Matt—I’d known that from the beginning. He always showed me support, respect and undeniable love. I remembered what he’d said that last night, that he’d wished he’d told me earlier that he loved me. The truth was that Tate had showed me every single day, with every action, touch and word, that he loved me.
No, it wasn’t Tate who scared me. But I thought I knew now who did.
“I’m afraid I’ll hurt him . . . again,” I whispered. “I’m afraid I’ll take his love for me and twist it. Ruin it.”
Darla was silent for a moment. “When you first came to see me, Gia, and we talked about Tate and Matt, I wondered if you’d ended your relationship with Tate because you saw him as another Matt. It’s not unusual for women who’ve been in abusive or difficult relationships to subconsciously recreate those situations. But I realized before too long that you weren’t afraid that Tate would treat you the same way Matt had.”
The truth flooded through me. “I’m afraid that I’m Matt,” I murmured. “I’m the one who is dysfunctional and broken. That’s why I have the same power to destroy Tate that Matt had to wound me.”
Darla let me soak that in before she went on. “If that’s true, if that’s your perception, what have you done to make sure you don’t repeat Matt’s mistakes?”
I lifted my eyes to hers. “I didn’t stay there, in the pain and the brokenness. I came to see you. I listened to Zelda, and I made the choice to get better.” My voice grew stronger. “I want to be whole again so that my life doesn’t end the way Matt’s did. I want to be happy, and I want to hope again.” I managed a smile. “I want to be with Tate, but this time, I’m going to be with him because I’m choosing to be there. I don’t want to be the needy one. I want to be an equal partner. I want to live my life with him.”
Darla clapped her hands together once. “And you know that’s possible now, don’t you? So could it be that it’s time to reach out to Tate?”
“Maybe.” I still erred on the side of caution. “I’m not sure. But I could start by just texting with him, couldn’t I?”
“You make contact however you feel comfortable doing it,” Darla agreed. “Just don’t stay in that place too long. Begin by texting, and then maybe move onto a telephone call. Once you’ve done that, I think you’ll realize how much you want to see him in person. Don’t let fear rob you of that desire. You can do this, Gia. You’re an incredibly resilient you
ng woman. Grab hold of that restlessness now and make it work for you.”
I’d come home from my appointment with Darla filled with enthusiasm and resolved to message Tate that day. But then I’d realized that the coming weekend was Philadelphia’s opening game at home, and although I hoped Tate would be happy that I texted him, I didn’t want to do anything that might throw off his mojo for the big game.
I could wait a few more days. I wasn’t going to chicken out; to keep myself accountable, I told Zelda my plan to text him after the game.
“If you reached out to that boy now, he’d probably float up and down the field this weekend,” she shot back at me. “He’d burn up the other team.”
I smiled, and my heart swelled with hope. “You might be right. Still, I don’t want to upset his routine. I’ve waited this long—a few more days won’t hurt.”
On Sunday, Tuck came over to watch football with us. Although we’d been friends since our freshman year in college and I’d always liked him, I’d gotten to know Eli Tucker much better over the past months. He was a sweetheart, funny and wryly self-deprecating at times, and in spite of all the challenges he’d faced since his spine had snapped on a high school football field in his senior year, he was a genuinely kind person who always treated me with patience and deference. I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for him to sit and watch the game still, knowing he’d never be out there playing.
We flipped back and forth between the Richmond Rebels game and Philadelphia playing Dallas, although I was impatient every time we weren’t watching Philly. I didn’t want to miss a single glimpse of Tate. I’d spotted him early on the sidelines; of course, I knew his jersey number, but I would’ve recognized him even without it, by the way he moved and stood. That body that had loved me so well still looked damn good.
Zelda must have been reading my mind, because she slid me a glance, her eyebrows raised. “Holy fuck, G. Did Tate look that good when we knew him in college? I can’t believe I didn’t hit that back then.”
Sitting next to her on the sofa, Tuck rolled his eyes and kissed her cheek. “Don’t hold back on my account, honey. I’m just sitting here, you know.”
“Yeah, I know.” She winked at him, cheeky and sassy as she always was. “I’m not saying I’m going to try to hook up with him now. I never messed with guys who were in love with someone else, anyway. I had standards. Besides, as long as you keep satisfying all my needs, I’m not planning on going anywhere. I’m a reformed rake, remember?”
“You better be.” He gave a mock growl and nuzzled her neck, and Zelda laughed, hunching up her shoulders to fend him off.
They were sickeningly cute, and I loved to see them so happy, but it also made my heart hurt. I was ready now to be that couple. I wanted to make other people sick with how sweet Tate and I could be together.
Tuck changed the channel again, back to the Richmond game. “Look, there’s Leo. He’s got to be pumped that he’s starting today. Did Quinn know?”
“I don’t think so.” I shrugged. “She didn’t say anything when Zelda and I drove her to the shore last month.” The two of us had surprised Quinn at the airport the day she’d flown home from San Francisco. Since her mother was still away, traveling with the infamous Shane the dry cleaner, as Quinn archly called her mom’s new boyfriend, we’d driven her to their home at the shore, where she’d taken some down time before heading to Virginia to see Leo.
I’d enjoyed seeing my friend again; I’d missed her. However, I’d been careful to keep up a steady flow of chatter all the way there, and I’d refrained from mentioning anything about my failed relationship with Tate. I wasn’t ready to go there yet. Not with Quinn.
“No one would’ve known who was starting back then,” Zelda pointed out. “Ah, damn commercials. Take us back to Philly, please, Eli.”
Tuck complied, and just like that, the screen was filled with Philadelphia players, moving down the field.
“That’s number thirty-six, the running back who just rushed for eight yards,” the announcer covering the Philadelphia game intoned. I jerked my attention away from Zelda and Tuck back to the screen in time to see a replay of Tate maneuvering his way down the field between Dallas players.
“This is his first game for Philly,” the other announcer remarked. “Tate Durham. He’s actually a local boy, played high school ball for Gatbury across the river in Jersey before he went to Carolina. He rode the bench most of last season up in New York, but he’s looking good today.”
“He’s a big guy, Merle,” the first one added. “Let’s hope he has a long and successful career here.”
I clapped my hands, almost squeeing in my delight. “Did you hear that? They were talking about Tate.”
“We all heard it, G.” Zelda smiled at me indulgently. “Geez, you’d almost think you liked the guy or something.”
I stuck out my tongue at her, but what she’d said left me feeling a little empty inside. I didn’t really have any claim on Tate. I wasn’t his girlfriend or even his friend anymore. I was back to being just an acquaintance, another fan girl sighing over the hot football player. And who knew whether or not he was seeing anyone now? I’d been counting on the fact that he’d meant what he said, that he’d wait for me, and he’d asked Leo to pass on a similar message. But things changed, and how crazy was it for me to expect him to stay single on the off-chance that I’d get my shit together and want a relationship again?
Suddenly, I wished I’d sent him a message earlier. At least then I’d know the truth. I wouldn’t be sitting here wondering.
“Yes!” Tuck shouted, and I looked back at the screen as Philadelphia scored, the receiver catching a beautifully thrown pass into the center of the end zone. The camera focused on the team congregating down the field to congratulate the guy who’d scored, and I saw Tate again, smacking his teammate on the back and turning to another for a high five.
God, I wanted him. It was sudden and visceral need, as though I longed to reach though the television and touch him. But it was more than just a physical desire; I wanted to hear him call me those ridiculous terms of endearment, and I wanted to see his dimple appear when I rolled my eyes and he laughed at me. I wanted to lie in bed and have long talks about books and television shows and our childhoods. I wanted to sit on the front porch of his boyhood home with Pops and watch Tate do yard work, winking at me saucily when he caught me staring.
I wanted to go to sleep in his arms, with his lips pressed against my hair, and wake up to the feel of his fingers stroking over my skin. I wanted to listen to the deep rumble of his voice as murmured his love to me. And more, I wanted to see the expression on his face when I told him how much I loved him and that I was never going to let him go again.
“You okay, G?” Zelda frowned at me. “You’re all flushed, and you look like you’re about to cry. Cheer up. Both Philly and Richmond are winning. Oh, and look there! I think I just saw Q in the stands, when they panned over the family seating area. How cool is that? I need to text her.”
“Really cool,” I muttered, but I was distracted by the clock on the corner of the screen. Tuck had just flipped back to the Philadelphia game, and the time remaining told me how long I had to wait before the game was over and I could safely message Tate.
I had a feeling it was going to be the longest three quarters of football I’d ever seen.
“Now that’s what I call an afternoon of excellent football.” Zelda stood up, twisting to stretch her back. She gazed down at me, smirking a little. “Eli, what do you say we go out and get some dinner? I’m craving Mexican.”
“I could go for an enchilada,” Tuck agreed. “Gia, you coming with?”
“No.” Zelda spoke quickly before I could answer. “She’s got plans.”
“She does?” Tuck sounded shocked as he looked my way. “You do?”
“Yes, I do. I guess.” I shot him an annoyed glare. “You don’t have to act so surprised. It’s not like I never have plans.”
“Uh, Gia, you know, I love you like the sister I never had, but you almost never leave the apartment unless you’re going to work or school.”
“That’s not true. Sometimes I go to the grocery store,” I defended myself. “But Zelda’s right. I have to do something now, and I need to be by myself to do it.”
Tuck’s eyebrows shot up, and Zelda smacked his shoulder. “Get your mind out of the gutter. Sheesh. Do you always have to boil something down to its basic sexual premise?” She shook her head.
“Says the pot to the kettle,” Tuck muttered, but I didn’t miss the twinkle in his eye.
“Good luck, G. And don’t you dare chicken out, or I’ll come back and smack the fuck out of you. Got it?” Zelda looped her purse over her shoulder as Tuck deftly transferred from the couch to his wheelchair. His muscled arms bulged at he moved his body, and I smothered a little sigh of appreciation. The guy was undeniably hot. Zelda was a lucky girl.
“Understood, and I promise I won’t chicken out. Pinky swear.” I wiggled my littlest finger.
“Don’t get too wild and crazy here, G.” Tuck waggled his eyebrows at me. “Want us to bring you back a taco?”
“No, thanks. I’ll just eat the leftover pizza from last night.” I was anxious to get them out so I could focus on my next move.
“Seriously? You’re passing up tacos for cold pizza?” Tuck apparently was more worried about my eating habits than I was.
“Eli, leave her be. G, good luck. See you later.” She grabbed the arm of the wheelchair and began to drag him toward the door.
Once Tuck and Zelda were out of the way, I picked up my phone and with fingers that weren’t quite steady, I began to compose my message to Tate.
The first one was ridiculous.
Hi, Tate. Great game today! Was wondering if you’d want to meet up some time.
“Ugh.” I half-gagged. “I sound like I want to sell him life insurance.”
Tate—I watched your game today. You looked so good out there. I was thinking maybe we could get together.
Down By Contact: A Making the Score Football Romance Page 24
