Chapter 30 Texts between Teddy & Ivy
TEXTS BETWEEN TEDDY & IVY
Ivy
I watched your interview with my entire family. You were incredible, Theodore.
Teddy
Incredible? Guess I will take that. Still feels like I handed them my insides on a platter
Ivy
That’s why it mattered. You showed them the real you. Not the PR version. Just Teddy.
Teddy
The guy in a hoodie who can’t sit straight without a pillow and whose eyes look like shit under hospital lighting?
Ivy
There’s no way your eyes could ever look shit…
You looked handsome. Don’t argue with me.
Teddy
Not arguing, just smiling like an idiot right now. You think I’m handsome
Ivy
Careful, you’re gonna make your head swell bigger than the brain injury already did
Teddy
Too soon
For the record, I still wish you’d been here
Ivy
I know. Me too. But my family would’ve kidnapped me if I bailed.
Teddy
Can’t blame them. If I had you, I’d never let you out of my sight either
Ivy
Smooth
Teddy
Honest
Ivy
Get some rest, you big softie. You deserve it after today.
Teddy
Only if you promise to call me tomorrow. Feels weird not hearing your voice in person
Ivy
Deal. Sweet dreams, Theodore.
Teddy
Good night, my light
Thinking of you every moment we aren’t together
Ivy
See, you really are a softie
P.S. I really liked you calling me that again
Teddy
I thought so
December 30
Ivy
Guess what?
Teddy
Still not a mind reader…
Ivy
I was officially removed from your care team this morning. My supervisor texted me the confirmation.
Teddy
No wonder it felt like something was wrong when I woke up
Ivy
Don’t be such a drama king. You’ve still got a whole team looking after you.
Teddy
Yeah, but none of them smuggle in pancakes
Ivy
That’s what you miss? Me bringing you food?
Teddy
Among other things
Ivy
Like?
Teddy
Your bright laugh. The way you tell me off, but still sound like you’re rooting for me. The fact that my hospital room feels less like a prison cell when you’re in it. How your voice can cut through the worst days and make them feel survivable…
And maybe I’ll miss the way you hover when you think I don’t notice or how you always manage to leave a piece of warmth behind even after you walk out
Ivy
You’re supposed to be recovering, not making me melt through my phone
Teddy
Pretty sure this counts as therapy
Ivy
Oh Teddy, you still have to see Dr. Philip
Teddy
At least I tried. Like the old Teddy would say, you snooze, you lose
Ivy
Why am I not surprised?
Teddy
What can I say? Some classics never die
Ivy
I was thinking…what’s the real story behind your jersey number 11?
Teddy
I thought you’d know as a superfan
Ivy
I’m pretty sure the standard “I picked it randomly” answer is a lie
Teddy
You know me too well
Ivy
… Still waiting
Teddy
Promise you won’t laugh?
Ivy
I’ll try to behave
Teddy
I was fourteen and got a chance to change my number. My old one was random. So my teen brain decided 11 was perfect…
Ivy
Why?
Teddy
Because what’s better than being number one once?
Ivy
***
Teddy
Being number one twice
Ivy
I cannot believe that’s the actual story
Teddy
It’s dumb, right?
Ivy
It’s very you
Teddy
Are you calling me dumb?
Ivy
Never
Teddy
I don’t know if I believe you, but I’ll let it slide
Ivy
I’ll be busy training my replacement today. I won’t have time to see you. Sorry. But I’ll come by tomorrow for the New Year.
Teddy
If I were you I would make time
Ivy
The nurses at the front desk are gossiping about me spending a lot of time with you…
Teddy
Oh shit
Ivy
Yeah. I’d rather not fuel the rumor mill any more than I already have.
Teddy
Let them talk. If they knew half of it, they would really have something to gossip about
Ivy
Theodore…
Teddy
What? I’m just telling the truth.
Ivy
You’re impossible
Teddy
And yet, you’re still texting me like the other day
Ivy
…Touché.
Teddy
You really like that word, don’t you?
December 31
Ivy
I’ll see you in two hours when my shift ends
Teddy
The longest two hours of my life
Ivy
Aren’t you charming?
Teddy
You like it
Ivy
Correction: I tolerate it
Teddy
Lie. You’d miss me if I stopped
Ivy
Don’t get too cocky, Seaborn
Teddy
Too late, it’s part of my charm package
Ivy
Package, huh?
Teddy
Don’t twist my words
Ivy
Two hours. Try not to cause trouble before then.
Teddy
No promises *angel emoji*