The second we got in the door Jack and I started kissing again, peeling each other's coats off as we did so. Tumbling onto the couch, it got pretty hot-and-heavy, fast. Jack unbuttoned my shirt and made to undo my pants but I laid my hand over his to stop him.
"Please, don't" I said, breathless, "If you do, I won't be able to stop."
"C'mon Dana, just this once?" Jack was pleading with me and I knew how hard it was for him.
"I'm sorry, I just don't want to lose control."
"Well, you better change your tune soon, 'cuz there's a whole lot of girls who would kill to give me a good lay."
That was the most hurtful thing anyone had ever said to me. Including the time Robbie called me pizza face the first day of freshman year. I shoved him off of me with all the force I could muster. My eyes got very narrow, and my lips disappeared because I was pressing them together so hard, and then I said, in a voice so low I could barely hear it, "Get out."
"Huh?" Jack's face was a cross between deer-in-headlights, and foot-in-the-mouth.
"You heard me," I said, pushing him off the couch, throwing his coat at him and shoving him towards the door. "Get out." He was stumbling over his own feet, trying to make sense of what was happening. "Oh, and I hope you know how to do your own laundry, because I'm not touching your jerseys anymore." And I shut the door in his face.
Turning around, I glanced at the clock. Eleven. Robbie wouldn't be home for another half hour at least. I flipped on the T.V., slid my shirt back on, and made myself some hot chocolate. I watched the Munster's marathon for an hour and a half, plenty of time, I thought, for Robbie to get home, clean up and attempt to sleep before I would call to wake him up to talk. I dialed his number and counted the rings. Once, Twice Three times…
'Hi this is Mac, can't get to the phone right now but if you leave you name and number I'll probably call you back. Later'
"Hi…"I hung up.
Tonight was the night. Three days before the opening ceremony, and dear-old-dad was making us play the Russians. What was he thinking? Jack and I were still not on speaking terms, but from where I sat in the stands, he looked nervous. They all did. They're playing against the greatest team in hockey history, who wouldn't be nervous. I decided not to tell Robbie what happened that night, and nobody on the team pushed me about why Jack and I were no longer joined at the hip. Dad did though, but I refused to say anything. Suffice it to say, it was a quiet trip to Lake Placid.
As the boys did their customary USA chant, I couldn't help the feeling of pride that welled up in my chest to see my boyfriend skating against the soviets. I also couldn't help the feeling of disappointment that settled on me when we were scored on in the first minute of the game. Ten goals in all. Jimmy couldn't stop all of them; I didn't blame him. I did blame Jack, for being so selfish, like the past six months meant nothing to him.
At least until he got hurt. I sprang from my seat like a Mexican jumping bean, racing to the locker rooms. The guards didn't give me any trouble, since I had an ID tag for being the equipment manager. When I got there, Doc had just finished icing Jack's knee and nodded to me on the way back to the bench.
I entered semi-stealthily, and saw Jack, lying on his back, face paler than a glass of milk. His eyes were closed, and his features were contorted with pain.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, immediately feeling stupid.
"Just peachy, you?"
"Fine, whatever." I said, turning to leave, tears welling up in my eyes, while I cursed being so easy to cry.
"Wait, Dana-" Jack stretched out as if to grab me, so I stopped before he hurt himself more. "I'm sorry. Sorry for being such a prick, and for acting so-"
"Chauvinistic, egotistical, pigheaded?"
"Al of the above. Can you forgive me?"
I rolled it around in my head for a second, then sat down on the bench next to the examining table. "Yes, I forgive you."
"Good. I can't concentrate when you're mad at me. I- I- I l-l-lo-ove you."
I tilted my head to look at him. "What?"
"I love you, okay?" he replied, sounding distinctly embarrassed.
"Well, I love you too."
I realize this chapter sux, so if anyone has suggestions to make it better they would be welcomed with open arms.
