Healed by Evan Grace

Chapter Four

 

Colton

 

I throw the football to Marcus, our wide receiver, and watch him run it in for a touchdown, winning the game for us. We all run down the field toward him, my heart pounding in my chest.

After we all exchange backslapping hugs, we run toward the tunnel to head to the locker rooms. Coach Stan comes in and signals for all of us to be quiet. I sit in front of my locker, ready to get this uniform off.

“I won’t keep you guys long, but I just wanted to tell you that I’m so fucking proud of you. Colton, I’ve never seen you play better or harder. You’ve been an asset to the team. Let’s meet Monday to go over game tape. Go celebrate and enjoy a couple days off; you’ve deserved it.”

I head to the showers, stripping out of my sweat-saturated clothes. The hot water feels great on my muscles, but there’s a line of players waiting for the showers, so I quickly wash and then step out. We’re going out tonight to celebrate our win.

Once I’m dressed in my suit, Tyrell comes walking over. “Great fucking game, Colt. Your arm is a cannon.”

We share a backslapping hug. “Thanks, man. Look at you; you didn’t let anyone get past you.”

He rode with me, so we make our way out to my truck. We’re all meeting for dinner at Nick’s restaurant, Nicholas. Having a restauranteur as a co-owner of the team definitely has its benefits.

When we get there, we head into the private room. I’m thankful to be out and not thinking about tomorrow. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m scared. Heidi and I belong together, and I’m worried that I damaged things irreparably, and she’ll never take me back.

We exchange handshakes and backslapping hugs with the other guys. As we sit, our waiter takes our drink and dinner order, before he disappears.

He returns with our drinks and the waitress helping him flirts with every single one of us, but most of us friendly, and not overly so. It takes a bit, but then our food is brought out, and I waste no time digging into my steak. While we eat, some of the guys decide to go out for drinks after dinner. Usually I pass, but I could definitely use the distraction.

Instead of going to a club, we settle on a little hole in the wall bar. No one knows us there, and we’re able to drink beer and play pool. Ty and I don’t stay too late, and after I drop him off at his home, I head home. It’s a long time before sleep finds me.

While staring at the shadows dancing across my ceiling, I go through every scenario that could go down tomorrow.

 

***

 

“What time is Heidi coming over?” Mom asks. I called her to get her advice if I should make Heidi dinner when she comes over.

I look at the clock. “She should be here in a half hour.” I’m so worried she won’t show up. Earlier I texted her my address, and the only reason I know she got it is because it said read. Other than that, she didn’t respond.

“Oh, honey, I hope it goes well. If she lets you, give her a hug for me.” Mom has been rooting for me since I moved back here. Dad has too, but Mom and Heidi were really close. “Call me and let me know.”

“I will. Love you, Mom.” She says the same before we disconnect. I decide to make some guacamole, her favorite, and pull down the chips. I wanted to get her some alcohol, but I realized it wouldn’t be a good idea, especially if our conversation goes badly.

I want to keep things casual so I’m wearing dark gray track pants, a blue thermal shirt, and bare feet. I run my fingers through my hair, a nervous habit I have. I pace while I wait for her to show up.

“She’s not coming,” I whisper to myself. Heidi should’ve been here ten minutes ago. I want to text her, but I don’t want to appear eager or demanding. Deep down I knew this was a possibility. She owes me nothing.

I sit on the edge of the couch, rest my elbows on my knees, and cover my face with my hands. I’ve lost her for good. I don’t know why I even thought that I could win her back.

I need to move on—I need to let her go.

Knock, knock, knock. My head flies up, and my heart starts to race. I stand and quickly wipe my sweaty palms on my thighs. I reach the door and take a deep breath, before pulling the door open. 

Heidi takes my breath away. She’s dressed in an off-the-shoulder hot pink sweater, black leggings, and hot pink Vans hi-tops. Her cotton candy pink hair is up in a crazy looking knot on top of her head.

I move back, letting her step inside before shutting the door behind her. “I didn’t think you were coming.” 

She turns around to face me. “I got here early and parked down the street, debating if I should go through with this or not. I finally decided I better get this over with.”

Heidi looks around my sparsely decorated living room. I know she sees the pictures of us on the wall, from brace faced pre-teens to two eighteen-year-olds.

“You were always so photogenic,” I say from behind her. “I’m glad you came.”

She whips around to face me. “The quicker you tell me whatever it is you have to say, the quicker I can be gone.”

Ouch… I wince, but I deserve it. When I ended our relationship, I thought I was doing the right thing. No matter how much it hurt, I knew I had to sever ties with her completely. 

“Please come sit with me.” I grab her hand, and thankfully she doesn’t try to pull it from mine. Once we’re sitting on the sofa, I turn so I’m facing her full on. I grab both of her hands. “There is no easy way to say this.” I take a deep breath. “Remember when I started getting tired all the time? I had those weird bruises and was just sick for like two weeks.”

I let go of one of her hands to rub it over my hair. “Heidi, it was cancer.”