Chapter 9 #2
With my phone turned over so I couldn’t see the screen, I settled back on the couch and focused on the TV. I made a silent vow that if Emmie didn’t text me in the next hour, I would respect her boundaries and leave it alone.
For the next forty minutes, I watched Game of Thrones, ignoring the few buzzes my phone gave. But despite the entertainment in front of me, I felt itchy and restless. I’d never been the type to sit still for long periods of time. My mom used to joke that I had ants in my pants.
The end credits of the show played, and I jumped off the couch, pacing toward the windows.
The entire city of Buffalo was spread out before me.
Buildings went for miles and miles on one side, the Niagara River separating the US and Canada on the other.
In a few hours, the sun would set and make the entire city glow.
Everything seemed so small this high up. The stadium out in the distance was just a speck amongst other buildings. Even city hall looked small as it towered over everything else.
An entire city was before me, and here I was, stressing over a girl.
One who, more than likely, wanted nothing to do with me.
There was tons of stuff I needed to focus on—football plays, formations, campaigns my manager signed me up for, the junior hockey league I volunteered for, as well as youth football.
Adding a woman on top of that wouldn’t be smart. From what I knew, Emmie was just as busy as I was with her upcoming competition. Yet, I wanted to know more about her. More so when she sent me those glares and gave me her quick-witted sarcasm.
It would be idiotic of me to try anything with my coach’s daughter, but I never said I was smart.
My phone excessively buzzing drew my attention away from the windows. I snatched it off the couch, expecting to see messages from a group chat. Instead, I paused at the random number on the screen.
After we left Alessandro’s the other day, I gave Emmie my number, but she never gave me hers. I left the ball completely in her court. I didn’t have to see the messages to know the number belonged to her.
Emmie: Hey, it’s Emmie.
Emmie: You said to text you. I would have sooner but lunch with my dad went long, then I had to get to Pilates.
Emmie: Not that you asked.
Emmie: Anyway, hi.
My lips formed into a smile at the onslaught of texts, each one a little awkward in a cute way.
Mateo: So you did save my number.
Emmie: Want me to delete it? I will.
Mateo: But then you’d miss out on all this amazing conversation.
I could picture her glaring at her phone, which just made my smile wider. I already knew getting that glare directed at me was going to become my favorite pastime.
Emmie: Sure, let's call it that if it makes you feel better.
Mateo: It does. I’m fragile.
Emmie: Oh, I know you are.
Mateo: Mean.
I moved to sit on the couch, phone glued to my hand. I watched as the three gray bubbles popped up, went away, and came back. I didn’t hesitate and clicked Call. Seconds passed as I waited for her to answer.
“Did you really have to call me?” was the first thing out of her mouth.
“This is easier. We could always FaceTime, though.”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
I held back my laugh. “Admit you—like my voice.”
“I think you like to hear yourself talk,” Emmie shot back.
“Oh, absolutely,” I said, leaning back against the couch as if she could see me. “But I like hearing you talk more.”
The line went quiet for half a beat before she let out the smallest huff, half annoyed, half flustered.
“Okay, subject change.”
“What do you want to talk about then?” I was going to let her be the one to bring up figure skating and her dad. It was only right since she was the one who hid it.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my dad being your coach.”
“You really don’t have to apologize. Would I have preferred to hear about it from you, rather than your dad, yes. But I also understand why you didn’t. You don’t owe me anything, Emmie.”
She was quiet for a moment. “I didn’t want to make things awkward. I also know players can’t date their coach's daughter.”
She said it with such certainty, I couldn’t help but frown.
“There’s no rule against dating the coach's daughter. Things can get a bit awkward but plenty of people have done it.” It wasn’t like I would get fired or kicked off the team if I started seeing Emmie. “You being related to him doesn’t change anything.”
“It doesn’t?”
“Why would it?” I questioned back.
“I…”
I didn’t push her to answer. I had a feeling I broke the roadblock she put up, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. If she thought her dad being my coach was going to deter me, she was going to learn I didn’t give a fuck.
“So,” I changed the subject, “you have Olympic medals.”
“Yeah.”
“Just a figure skater, my ass,” I joked.
“I am just a figure skater, but I also happen to have medals.”
I chuckled at her tone, which she echoed through the phone. How I wanted to hear that laugh in person. My finger hovered over the FaceTime button, but I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable.
“From what I could see online, you have a lot of other trophies, too.”
Emmie paused. “You looked me up?”
“Yeah.” I wasn’t about to deny it. “You’ve looked me up.”
“I haven’t!” she sputtered.
“Uh huh.”
“Not my fault your name just popped up on the screen.”
Her sarcasm lit something inside of me. She went toe-to-toe with me on banter. Something I hadn’t experienced with past women. Then again, the longest relationship I had was back in university for six months.
“So, if I look at your search history, I won’t see shirtless pictures of me?” I raised an eyebrow even though she couldn’t see me.
“You truly are full of yourself, huh? Surprised your shirts fit over that ego of yours.”
“It really is a miracle.”
Emmie huffed. “You have a response to everything, don’t you?”
“Pretty much. Comes with being the youngest of three brothers.” Ever since I was a kid, I was the comedic relief. Landon was serious and grumpy. Wyatt the steady, easy-going brother. And then I was the one who kept things light and fun, no matter the situation.
“So, your job is being the family clown?”
“Resident charmer, actually.”
“Oh god,” she muttered, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “I walked into that one.”
“You did. But don’t worry, I’ll try not to overwhelm you with my dazzling personality.”
“Try very hard.” Her tone lacked any real heat. Emmie was quiet for a moment, the only sound coming through the phone her soft breathing. “I better go,” she said after a moment.
I didn’t want to stop talking, but I conceded. “Okay.”
“But this was…nice.” It sounded like she was surprised to enjoy a conversation with me.
“It was.”
Emmie lingered, like she wasn’t ready to get off the phone, but then she let out a soft sigh.
“Goodnight, Mateo.”
“Goodnight, Emmie.”
After we hung up, her voice stayed in my head, my lips forming into a smile as I stared down at the blank screen. Something about her stuck with me in a way I couldn’t explain yet.