The Rematch (Wrestling Diaries #2) by Sarah Bale Page B

trying to decide if she was serious.
      “Sorry?”
      She pointed to the TV, though it was off, and questioned, “Are you going to stop chasing after those wrestlers?”
      Wrestlers sounded like ‘rasslers when she spoke it and I gritted my teeth in irritation.
      “Your mom told me that you weren’t going to the shows anymore and that was a relief to hear. I don’t even want to know how much money you’ve wasted with your childish hobby.”
      She’d been on this kick for years. She didn’t understand how an adult could go to wrestling events. When I tried explaining that I liked it, she laughed at me. Eventually I stopped trying to justify why I went. It really wasn’t any of her business.
      I couldn’t just sit there and take it today, though.
      “You do realize that I was dating one of the wrestlers, right?”
      Maybe that’d shut her up.
      “And where is he? I don’t see anyone next to you.”
      Ouch.
      My mom stepped in and said, “Stop giving Jamie a hard time. She’s not been herself since that wrestler dumped her.”
      Wow. Thanks Mom . I threw my napkin on my plate.
      Standing, I said, “I’d better be going.”
      My mom tried to stop me, but I shook my head.
      “No, mom. If I stay then I’ll say something awful.”
      And I’d mean whatever I said. Why did I put up with my aunt’s abuse every year? Nothing I did was ever good enough and she always had something negative to say about the choices I made.
      Outside, I checked my phone and saw a missed call from Denver. I called him back as I got into my car.
      “Happy Thanksgiving.”
      “I didn’t think you celebrated.”
      He laughed. “It’s my first. I must say I’m impressed with the desserts. I’ve had at least four different pies.”
      “I’m glad one of us is having a good time. I just left my parent’s house where one of my aunts was being her rude self.”
      “I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
      I gave him a brief rundown of my aunt and what had happened today. I mainly just needed to vent to someone who wasn’t in my family.
      “Damn. I’m sorry.”
      Sighing, I replied, “It’s okay. I feel better now that I’ve left and now that I’m talking to you.”
      “I’m glad I could help.” He paused and asked, “Think you’ll be at any shows anytime soon?”
      I didn’t want to admit that I had looked at the schedule to see if they would be close. That might make him think there was a chance.
      “Jamie?”
      “I’m here. I’m not sure.”
      He was quick in his reply, which made me wonder if he’d been thinking about it.
      “What if I come see you?”
      “Me?”
      “Yeah. I have an extra day off this week with the holiday and all that. I could fly out to see you before going to work.”
      Wow. That was nice of him to offer. Days off were few and far between for a wrestler.
      “That’d be great, Denver.”
      I meant it, too. We chatted a bit longer and he said he’d text me after he booked his flight. I still wasn’t sure where I wanted our relationship to go, but at least he didn’t make me feel rushed.
     
     
    November 26
      There are moments that stick out in your memory that you know are going to be important later on. I experienced a moment like that with Denver at the airport today. He was walking toward me and had a look on his face. In that instant I saw everything in his heart.
      How he felt about me.
      How beautiful I was to him.
      How much he desired me.
      It was a defining moment.
      A life altering moment.
      A moment that broke my heart.
      I wasn’t over Mesquite, but how did I tell Denver?
      The smiled faded from his face.
      “Hey… don’t look at me like that, Jamie. I’m here as your friend. Nothing else.” He threw his arm over my shoulder. “Let’s have some fun.”
      And in that moment I think I fell in love with him a little bit.
     
     
    November 27
      I cried after I dropped off