The Attack Zone (Slap Shot #2)

35. Stacey

CHAPTER 35

STACEY

I ’m trying to focus on work at home, but I can’t. I just keep re-reading emails to the Rebounds for Rescues inbox of people trying to get ahold of Mitch. Some are press and some are gossip blogs and fans, but some are really nice. This one’s from a teenager in Pueblo, Colorado.

Dear Mr. Greggs,

I’m fourteen and I have depression. It’s been hard to get into a therapist in Pueblo because my mom can’t afford it, and most of them don’t take Medicaid. But sometimes it helps me to know people are out there who are dealing with stuff like me, so I just wanted to tell you you’re not alone. Go Blizzards!

- Andy

I finish re-reading the message for the third time, tears stinging my eyes. I know Hazel said I have to wait, but Mitch should see this. I hover my curser over the forward button, press it, and enter Mitch’s personal email before I can think better of it. I don’t add a note, because I don’t want him to think I’m pressuring him into talking to me. I just hit send.

Then there’s a knock at my door and I leap out of my seat. I’m not expecting anyone ... did I forget I ordered food or something?

I walk across the living room and peep through the peephole . All I can see is a bouquet of flowers. I can’t tell what kind they are through the distorted image, but there’s a lot of them and I have no clue who’s holding them.

I unlock the door and swing it open, expecting that maybe it’s the front desk guy. I guess maybe Mitch had the deliveries on an automatic renewal type thing.

It’s not the front desk guy.

And it’s not the guy from the flower shop.

It’s Mitch.

He doesn’t say anything and neither do I. His hair is tousled in the way I love, and I immediately want to run my hands through it. I want to hug him and tell him how worried I’ve been. I want to kiss him and make him feel better than it seems like he feels right now based on his unusual silence.

“Do you want to come in?” I finally say.

He nods and walks through the doorway, taking up most of the frame as he does.

Once he’s inside, I close the door and turn to face him. He holds out the flowers in front of him.

“Sorry, they were out of peonies,” he says.

I take them from him and hold them up to my nose. They smell divine regardless. I cross towards my coffee table and remove the very dead peonies from the vase. As I place the fresh stems into it, it hits me.

Mitch is here .

I nearly drop the vase on the table and have to steady myself to keep from running into his arms. I don’t know why he’s here. We haven’t spoken all week.

“Mitch,” I say. “Why are you here?”

“It’s Thursday,” he says. “You needed new flowers.”

“Mitch,” I say as I start to cross toward him.

But he holds his hand up. “Wait,” he says. “I’m so sorry I left you in the restaurant. I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you this week. It’s been a lot and I kinda had my head up my own ass.”

“Mitch,” I say. “I’m not mad at you. I’m just glad to see you. Are you okay?”

I finally reach him and raise my hand out, brushing it against his arm and giving it a squeeze.

“Not completely yet,” he says, looking down again. “But I’m getting though it. You’re really not upset?”

“No,” I say, I run my hand down to his and give it a squeeze. “You should see the messages Rebounds for Rescues is getting,” I say. “I actually just sent you one. Do you want to see it?”

“Maybe in a minute,” he says, taking a step towards me. “I need your help first.”