Which is why I'm shocked when another text comes in a few seconds later.
Everly
Sharing Bridget’s number with you. She knows I’m giving it to you, but don’t make me regret it. She seems pretty shook up. Is her douche ex really the new assistant GM?
I save Bridget’s contact information, thank Everly, then sit there, thumb tapping against the side of my phone as I think about what I want to say. Sorry your ex-boyfriend is a giant asshole? Sorry I gave you my jersey, you put it on and then your ex walked up at the least convenient time. No, fuck that. I’m not sorry about that at all. That image is going to stay with me for a very long time. I never thought I’d be one of those guys so turned on by seeing a girl wear my name and number on her back. But here we are. Hard and pissed and ready to burn down the world.
Me
Hey. It’s Ash. I’m sorry tonight ended the way it did. It was really good to see you.
I wait, even though I don’t expect her to reply. I can’t get the way she looked so anxious when Gabe walked up out of my head. I’ve had enough awkward encounters with ex-girlfriends to know that some of that is expected. But he was just awful, and she didn’t seem that surprised. She didn’t flinch or yell or do any of the things I’d have expected from someone who is used to being treated with love and respect.
Fucking Gabe. I knew that first night when he was yelling at her outside of Wild’s that he was a piece of shit. No, you know what? I knew before that. The very first time I laid eyes on Bridget and saw him sitting next to her not giving her a bit of attention.
Relationships aren’t always rainbows and sunshine, I know that. But there’s a difference in sitting quietly beside someone and not talking and existing in the same space.
Nurse Bridget
It was good to see you too. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Me
Guess you won’t be coming to any more games, huh?
Nurse Bridget
Probably not. Everly will keep me updated though.
Me
Bummer, but I get it. You’re okay though? Gabe was kind of intense.
Nurse Bridget
Yeah, I’m fine.
I’m not sure I believe her, but what am I going to do? Demand she lay her wounds out for me? We barely know each other. It should be said, I want her to. I really do. I’d hold them with the care they deserve. But that’s not the kind of shit you say to a girl you’re most definitely not pursuing.
She starts typing again. Those three little dots go on so long I think it’s a mistake until her next message pops up.
Nurse Bridget
If I’ve made things complicated for you with Gabe, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he was interviewing with the Wildcats. We didn’t end things on the best of terms, but you shouldn’t be punished for that. I sent him a text tonight and told him there was nothing going on between us.
Nothing going on between us. I read the words a dozen times, hating them a little more each time.
I did wonder if she’d known that Gabe was up for the job. Not that it’d matter now. What’s done is done. And I don’t regret any of it. Well, maybe one thing. I wish I’d punched the guy like I wanted to outside of Wild’s. I could have gotten away with it then, but not now. From here on out I need to play nice, whether I like it or not.
15
CLUB MIDNIGHT
BRIDGET
“Come in,” I say after a knock on my door Sunday evening.
Everly pokes her head in tentatively and smiles. “Are you busy?”
“No, just finishing up.” I take off my glasses and sit up straight on the bed where I’ve been hunched over my notes from class for the past…shit, three hours.
My roommate comes in and shuts the door, then takes a seat on the edge of the bed. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve been studying for finals and catching up on homework all day. Every one of my professors doubled homework after Friday’s snow day.”
“I know. Like it was our fault that we got two feet of snow.” She laughs softly and I join in. “So that’s the only reason, then?” she asks with concerned eyes.
Crap. I don’t want to lie to her, but I’m not sure how to explain everything she’ll want to know if we start talking about Gabe and what happened last night either.
“I promise it’s nothing you guys did.”
“You seemed really upset last night after running into your ex. I’m not going to pry, but if you ever want to talk, I’m here. I know a thing or two about shitty ex-boyfriends.”