Chapter 14
Sloane
As much as I wish I’d woken up next to Eden naked and sated, I have to admit I still feel really fucking good.
She knows about my mistake with Alex and didn’t run for the hills.
Now that everything is out in the open and we both know exactly where we stand with each other, I can start planning our dates.
Looking back, we never really had proper dates.
Most of the time, we hung out in one of our rooms and watched a movie or went on a run.
I mean, we were teens with no money and then went off to college.
Now though, we’re certified adults, and yes, I will need to take money from my trust fund, but I can justify that.
If it means Eden sees how serious I am about us, then that’s just how it will have to be.
Eden had to leave early this morning because she promised Pia she’d stop by her place for breakfast. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask her to stay just a little longer, but the space was probably sensible.
Our chat last night was a lot to process, and I want to give myself time to really sit with everything.
Before therapy, I would allow strong feelings, whether they were negative or positive, to build up until I couldn’t handle them.
With the help of Dr. Chen, I’m much better at dealing with emotions and feelings as they happen. It stops me from getting too full.
That’s how Dr. Chen described me. She said I was like a glass bottle left outside and my feelings were the rain.
Every time it rained, the bottle filled up, but I waited until it was running over before emptying it.
She described it better than me, which is why she’s the expert.
The point is, I make sure I empty my bottle as soon as it stops raining.
Not having Eden here with me this morning also helps me think of other things in my life. Like Jenna. Until Eden mentioned she’d been MIA last night, I’d not noticed her absence because I’ve been hyperfocused on Eden. I won’t fall into the trap of being a crappy friend, so I gotta up my game.
I shoot Jenna a message asking if she’s free for lunch.
I get a thumbs-up back, which makes me smile because no one under the age of forty uses that anymore, right?
Eden does, but she’s a self-proclaimed old lady in a young body.
Maybe the apple doesn’t fall as far from the tree as Jenna would like. I’ll need to mention that to her.
With a skip in my step, I tidy the apartment and continue to ignore the mountain of clothes piled up in my closet. If I shut the door…it doesn’t exist.
Mom and Dad are already lying by the pool when I walk over to the main house. Dad must have taken a day off, which means I get to spend some quality time with him.
“Morning, pumpkin,” he says, lifting his sunglasses into his hair.
“Morning, Dad. Day off?”
He shrugs. “I figured I’d worked hard enough recently.”
“Do you want some breakfast, honey?” Mom asks, already rising from her lounger. I wave her off and gently push her back down.
“I got it. Although I really need to go to the grocery store. I can’t keep pestering you guys for food.”
Mom tuts, and Dad laughs at her grumbling. Mom would have me over for every meal if she had it her way.
After I’ve cut up a bowl of fruit, I rejoin my parents. The silence is amiable, and a sense of peace washes over me.
“Did I see Eden leaving this morning?” Mom asks, bursting my idyllic bubble.
I hate that I blush because it’s not like they’ve never seen Eden leave our house in the morning before.
My and Eden’s parents were really cool about us sleeping over at each other’s houses.
I’m grateful both sets of ’rents were super open about having gay kids and just wanted us to be safe and comfortable.
“You did,” I say without elaborating.
Mom swings her legs around until she’s facing the patio table I’m camped at with my breakfast and coffee. “Sloane Bishop, spill!”
“You know most parents aren’t all up in their kids’ love lives,” I joke. She and Dad have always taken an interest in that part of my life. I told them I had a massive crush on Eden, and they listened to me pine after her for years.
“Well, we’re not most parents,” Mom shoots back with a sweet smile.
Sighing dramatically, I place my spoon down. “The things I have to do,” I mutter loud enough for them to hear. They both laugh, which is what I was going for.
“Come on, kiddo. Spill the tea,” Dad adds.
“Fine. Yes, Eden did stay with me last night, but nothing happened. I mean, some stuff happened but not what you’re thinking.
We talked. Like, a lot, and ironed out a few things.
Eden needs time…to trust us, to trust me.
She forgave me but I know she struggles with forgetting, and I put her through a lot. ”
“She loves you, baby,” Mom says gently. “I always knew she’d be here waiting when you came home.”
“But it isn’t just about me. Eden has always put me first, and I hurt her. I need to show her I’m here for her, and that she can trust me not to run away.”
“So what did you guys decide?” Dad asks.
“We’re going to date. Take things slow and build our relationship from the ground up again.”
“That sounds like a good plan, Sloane. You’re taking the time to make sure it’s right for both of you.”
“We are. I want to plan the first date but I’m coming up blank.”
“Go old school,” Dad says. “Go out for a fancy meal and share some wine. I know you probably want to do something super special and surprising, but maybe giving Eden a taste of normal with you is better.”
I had planned on coming up with a fantastical date that would’ve blown Eden’s socks off, but maybe Dad is right. Maybe we should try something regular for a change.
“I’ll do some research into restaurants. Thanks, Dad.”
“He’s full of good ideas sometimes,” Mom deadpans. In a flash, Dad jumps off his lounger and scoops my mom up in his arms. She screams as he launches them both into the pool.
I love how they still act like this with each other. That’s the kind of love I want. The kind I know I’ve already found, I just have to nurse it back to health.
I left my parents playing in the pool. I was serious about the lack of food at my place. If the girls keep on coming over for pasta nights, I need to stock up. Now that I know Eden will be stopping by more often I’ll stock up on some snacks and sodas I know she enjoys.
The grocery store is delightfully cool as I enter. The weather today is gloriously hot, but after ten minutes of enduring the baking sun, I’m happy for the store’s air conditioning.
I’m halfway through my shopping when I accidentally bump my cart into someone. Ready to apologize, I gasp when I see Mr. Porter, my high school gym teacher.
“Sloane Bishop, well I’ll be damned. How are you?”
“Hi, Mr. Porter. It’s so lovely to see you.”
“You can call me Daniel if you like. I’m not your teacher anymore.”
I screw my nose up, and he laughs. “It’s weird,” I admit.
“You’ll get used to it.” He chuckles. “So how’s life? How was college?”
I don’t want to explain the whole drama to him, so I tell him it was good, and I graduated with a sports science degree.
“That’s awesome. Are you working in town?”
“Actually, I’m going it alone,” I admit. It’s the first time I’ve spoken about my business to someone outside my comfort zone. “I plan to be an independent physical therapist.”
His eyes grow wide and a huge smile erupts.
I remember he always got a huge smile when struck with a great idea.
“I think our meeting was fate, Sloane. I’ve got a little wiggle room in the school’s budget this year, which is a damn miracle.
Anyway, our football team is the best we’ve ever had.
Same goes for track and the basketball teams. Holcroft is kicking ass at sports, and we’ve got some amazing young athletes.
Kids who will go far if they want, and I know a handful of them who are very serious.
They want to go pro and are putting in the work. ”
I let him talk because I’m not sure where he’s going with this.
“Come work for Holcroft,” he says. “You’ll remain an independent contractor which means you get to set your rate. We get an ex-star cheerleader working on the next generation’s super sports stars! What do you think?”
I think I’m speechless.
He reaches inside his jacket and pulls out his card. I take it automatically, still unable to answer.
“Think it over, come up with some questions and then call me. We’ve still got plenty of time to get it set up before the new school year starts.”
“This…” I manage to splutter.
“This is a great opportunity for us both. Seriously, Sloane, you would fit in so well with the team because you already know half of them.”
“But…Mr. Port—Daniel, I haven’t had any clients yet. My business is still in the developmental stage.”
“Okay, so work out what you need to do before calling me.”
“I’ve managed to secure some mentoring,” I blurt because my head feels jumbled with everything that’s happening.
“Great! See, already working on solutions. Plus, it would be a great way to pad out your portfolio for further down the line.”
His upbeat attitude is infectious. “I’ll work it out,” I declare. “Expect a call soon, Daniel.”
I’ve no idea where this sudden burst of confidence is coming from, but I’m going to work with it.
He gives me another beaming smile. “Take care, Sloane. You’ve always had a can-do attitude. I know this is going to be great!” He gives my shoulder a friendly squeeze before gliding off toward the checkout, beaming like he’d just recruited Tom Brady to his JV squad.
My hands are shaking, and it’s not even from stress, more like a swarm of electrified bees swarming under my skin. This is…huge. Potentially life changing. Also terrifying. But mostly huge.