Chapter 61
From the texts of Ben & Melody
Ben: I don’t know if you heard, but Cynthia Hargraves has formally retracted her allegations against me.
Melody: I did. I’m so thrilled for you. Truly.
Ben: But it doesn’t suddenly make everything better and bring us back to where we were, does it?
Melody: . . .
Melody: Unfortunately, no. It doesn’t.
Ben: I wish this situation hadn’t affected you so much, but I can understand why it did.
Melody: Thank you.
Melody: I know that it must have been so much harder on you, and I’m so sorry for that, but it hit me harder than I expected.
Ben: That’s fair, especially since the media drew you into the story, too. I would have been surprised if you hadn’t been upset.
Melody: Thank you. I appreciate your understanding.
Ben: I hate to even ask this, but was that a picture of you and Captain Thom’s grandson that I saw the other day?
Melody: . . .
Melody: It was Nolan, yes.
Ben: Are you seeing him?
Melody: Yes, but only as a friend.
Ben: Does he know that? If that picture is to be believed, the guy wants more from you than simply friendship.
Melody: Nolan knows that all I have to offer him right now is friendship.
Ben: Because you and I are together?
Melody: . . .
Ben: We are still together, right?
Melody: . . .
Ben: Please tell me you aren’t giving up on us.
Melody: I’m sorry, but I’m confused. I don’t know if I can do this.
Ben: You don’t know if you can do what? Be my girlfriend?
Melody: I’m sorry, but yes. I don’t know if I’m cut out for a life in the public eye.
Melody: . . .
Melody: I think we should consider taking a step back.
Ben: Taking a step back is the last thing I want.
Ben: In all my years of playing professional hockey, this is the first time something like this has happened to me. Surely, lightning won’t strike twice.
Melody: But it could. We can’t know for certain that this isn’t just the first of multiple upsets to come.
Ben: I suppose that’s true. One can never know definitively, but I really don’t think that’s what’s going to happen.
Ben: Can I see you when I get back? We need to talk this out. And not just via text.
Melody: I know. We do. I just need some time to sort out my own thoughts and feelings.
Ben: I really wish you didn’t.
Melody: I’m sorry. I wish I didn’t feel this way, either, but I do. And I don’t think there’s any point denying it.
Ben: I suspect you’re right about that. Hiding from our feelings rarely helps.
Ben: Can you promise me something, though?
Melody: What?
Ben: If you have to see Nolan, can you at least remind him that you have a boyfriend who is crazy about you and won’t let the first signs of trouble destroy a great thing?
Melody: Nolan knows we’ve been seeing each other. And not just casually.
Ben: But does he know I’m head over heels for you?
Melody: . . .
Ben: You don’t have to say anything to that. Just promise me we’ll talk this out when I get back and we’ll kibosh all talk of taking a break.
Melody: We’ll talk. Then . . . We’ll see.
Ben: Don’t give up on us, Melody. Please.