Life is awesome. I had the best date last night and a phenomenal practice on the ice this morning.
Colors are brighter, food tastes better, and all that other cliché stuff people say when they’re in love.
Yep. I said it. I’m in love with Erika Vaughn.
I don’t know how else to describe what I’m feeling.
I can’t stop thinking about her and can’t wait until the next time I get to see her.
When I start whistling as I exit the shower in the team locker room…
My brother shoots me a look like I’ve grown an extra head.
He still hasn’t asked me about Erika yet, which is kind of strange.
He’s probably waiting until we get home to start the interrogation.
Carson
You’re awfully chipper, especially after one of the hardest practices of our life.
Carson
I’m shocked any of us have any mobility left, the way coach drilled us into the ice today.
Cole
Don’t be such a baby.
Cole
It’s a great day, we had a great morning skate, and we’re going to kick Pittsburgh’s ass this week.
Carson
Bast, check him for a fever. He might need medical attention.
Sebastian smirks and dutifully reaches over.
I smack his hand away before flipping them both off. Then I get dressed quickly.
I want to get out of here and see if I can swing by Erika’s for lunch with some take-out.
I grab my phone and see that she’s already texted. A huge smile spreads across my face.
Erika
I can’t believe that after everything we talked about, you would set me up like this.
I drop to the bench in front of my locker and frantically type back.
Cole
Sweetheart, what are you talking about?
Cole
I didn’t set you up for anything!
Erika
Then how do you explain this?
She sends me a web link that I click on immediately.
It takes me to TMZ’s website and an article called “Goodbye Puck Bunnies…Hello, Political Princess!”
Not only is it an article about how I’m dating the daughter of an Illinois senator…
It has the pictures that I took of us at the restaurant.
Shoving to my feet, I cross the room to where he’s forcing his equipment into his bag.
Cole
What the fuck did you do with those pictures?
Cole
Don’t play dumb with me, Case. You know exactly the pictures I’m talking about.
Cole
The ones of me and Erika.
Carson
Who the hell is Erika?
Carson
Cole, I have no idea what you’re talking about, man.
But that doesn’t make any sense unless…
I look down at my phone and scroll to my other text threads.
I didn’t send the pictures to Case.
In my rush, I sent them to Linda by accident.
I quickly re-read the message I’d sent with them…
“I’m seeing Erika Vaughn. Wanted you to be the first to know for obvious reasons. Talk more tomorrow.”
Erika’s right to be upset with me.
Because it looks like I sold our pictures to the gossip site after I told her she could decide when we go public.
Screw texting. I punch the button to call her but I’m sent straight to voice mail.
Either she’s declining the call or she’s already blocked my number, there’s no way to tell.
But both scenarios are bad.
I look up to find Carson watching me, confusion still written all over his face.
Cole
Sorry, brother, I was wrong. I thought YOU did something but I messed up.
Carson
What’s going on? You need help?
Cole
No, there’s nothing you can do. I have to go, but I’ll explain later.
I clap him on the shoulder, grab my gear, and text Linda on the way to my car.
Cole
Linda, I didn’t mean to send those pictures to you. I thought I sent them to Case.
Linda
Oh! Well it all worked out in the end, lol. Congrats on the new relationship!
Linda
This is fantastic news for our image campaign. I mean, a senator’s daughter???
Linda
I couldn’t have planned that better myself. Nice work! ;)
I toss my bag in the back seat of my car and climb in behind the wheel, slamming my door harder than necessary.
I take a minute to drag in some deep breaths before responding.
Cole
Look, I know you mean well, but this is REALLY bad, Linda.
Cole
We weren’t ready to go public and now Erika thinks I sold those pics for a publicity stunt.
Linda
Oh dear. I’m really sorry, Cole.
Linda
I thought you sent them to me so that I COULD use them for your image campaign.
Cole
I can see why you might have thought that based on my message.
Cole
But even if I’d meant to send that info to you, I still would’ve wanted to have a discussion about what we do with it.
Linda
You’re right. I should’ve spoken with you before contacting TMZ.
Linda
I got excited and jumped the gun.
Linda
I can call TMZ and have them retract the article, if you want.
Linda
They can say it was false information. I’ll tell them that you guys are just friends.
Cole
Thanks, I appreciate that. I’ll let you know soon if I need you to move on this.
Blowing out a breath, I toss my phone on the passenger seat.
Should give Erika some space or confront the issue right now?
I’m sure I’m the last person she wants to see or speak with…
But it only takes me a few seconds to decide that ignoring her is a terrible idea.
I refuse to lose the first woman I’ve fallen in love with over a miscommunication.
It may not have been intentional, but it was still my carelessness that hurt her.
So I’m going to be the one to try and make it right.
