The Attack Zone (Slap Shot #2)

33. Stacey

CHAPTER 33

STACEY

TWO DAYS LATER

I t’s been two days since Mitch left me sitting in that restaurant alone, and I haven’t heard from him since. I even caved and texted Thomas this morning, but he left me on read too.

The thing is, I’m not even angry. Well, at least not with Mitch. I’m angry with that post and I want him to let me help him. I could craft a statement that would freaking castrate the account that posted it, and it would make me feel so much better to at least do something about it.

But instead, I’m just sitting on my couch, staring at the bouquet of peonies sitting on my coffee table. They’re starting to look a little sad since they’re almost a week old, and I’m dreading tomorrow being the first Thursday in over a year that a new bouquet doesn’t arrive to replace them.

But I know it won’t.

Because he won’t even call me back.

I’ve done my best to focus on work over the past few days, but I keep checking my phone every three seconds to be sure I haven’t missed a text or a call. Of course work is still important to me. It always will be. But the moment I looked up at that empty chair in that restaurant I realized that Mitch is just as important. I know now that being needed isn’t a bad thing; it’s actually kind of beautiful. And knowing that he needs help right now and isn’t letting himself get it is killing me.

My phone buzzes on the table and I all but launch myself off the couch to grab it. It’s a text. From Hazel.

Hazel: Hey friend – just checking in. Want to grab dinner?

I don’t want to leave my comfortable sweats or emotional support dying peonies. I don’t want to talk about Mitch not talking to me. I don’t want to accept what that means. But I also don’t want to hurt Hazel’s feelings and maybe a real meal would be a healthier choice than the leftover Chinese food I planned on heating up when I finally got the strength to get off my couch.

I arrive at the restaurant and grab a table for me and Hazel. It’s quiet, but I get a table in the corner just to be safe. The last thing I need is someone overhearing Hazel and I talking about Mitch. We’ve all had enough of people poking their noses in our business to last a lifetime, I think.

Hazel arrives a few minutes later looking as effortlessly stunning as ever. “Hey, hun,” she says as I stand to hug her. Our normally quick embrace pauses, and I find myself wrapping a second arm around her. I take a deep breath in and squeeze her tight, unable to let go. When I feel tears start to sting my eyes, I feel like I’ve truly lost it. “It’ll be okay, sweetie,” she continues, hugging me back, waiting for me to let go.

I finally do and we each take a seat at our corner table .

“How is Mitch doing?” she asks once our server has disappeared to get us water.

“Oh,” I start. “I ... don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” she says, a confused look on her face.

I take a deep breath. This is exactly why I didn’t want to do this.

“He hasn’t spoken to me since it happened,” I say. “I’ve texted and called, but he won’t reply. Thomas even ignored me this morning.”

Hazel lets out a sigh, grabs her phone off the table, and rapid-fire types out something before placing her phone back on the table.

“What was that?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about it,” she says. “Anyway, why do you think he’s avoiding you?”

“I don’t know,” I say. “Things were ... well, they were good. Really good. And I was getting scared but now I just really want him to at least let me help handle this.”

“He’s probably embarrassed, hun,” she says. “They said some really awful stuff in that post.”

“But none of it was true,” I say. “That’s what I don’t get. All he has to do is call them out for spreading stigma.”

“You and I know it isn’t true, but maybe he doesn’t,” she says.

“What do you mean?” I ask. “He can’t possibly believe anything they said.”

“Maybe not consciously,” she says with a knowing look.

“Oh,” I say. “Right.”

Our server appears with our waters and takes our order. The last thing I want is to order a salad, but I could probably use a vegetable right about now so that’s what I do.

When he’s out of earshot, I turn back to Hazel. “So, what am I supposed to do?” I ask. “I can’t just wait around until he comes to his senses.”

“That’s exactly what you have to do,” she says. “He has to work this one out on his own. Mitch isn’t good at needing people, that’s why he’s such a planner. It helps him keep people at arm’s length.”

This woman is really wise beyond her years. Must be the whole mom thing.

“So I just ... wait?” I say.

“Yep,” she says. “And be ready to be there for him when he realizes he does actually need you, and that that’s okay.”