Dear Ethan: A Second Chance Romance

Chapter 27: Pandemic

[If the world was Ending - JP Saxe]

*Jodie*

And then the world went quiet. Eerily quiet.

So quiet you could hear a pin drop out on the deserted roads. In all the abandoned malls. In all the empty stadiums.

Uncertainty rippled across the country. The news anchors talked about an airborne virus spreading across different states and across the globe. Its origin was unknown. Masking protocols were put in place. People were asked to keep their distance. Stay six feet apart or risk getting sick.

Foot traffic dwindled. Customers canceled orders. Businesses near us shuttered close.

I drove around feeling my chest constrict. The restaurant next to our bakery had been there for ages but the handwritten sign said they were not able to afford their rent anymore. The real estate office closed soon after.

My phone pinged. 

Landon had finally replied to my message to let me know he was OK. The friend he was staying with was sick but they were making sure to keep their distance and use different utensils. I frowned, looking at his message. 

There was nothing I could do. He couldn't afford to live alone and it's not like he would ever take me up on my offer to live together. We just had to make do. Roll with the punches like we always did.

Because at the end of the day no matter what happened we would always be survivors.

-

*Ethan*

I picked up the pace on the treadmill and got into the rhythm of a steady jog. I was feeling too wired and needed to blow off steam.

The whole league was in disarray once masking protocols were put into place. News pundits questioned if team sports should even be allowed to congregate if the virus was airborne.

My phone pinged. It was a message from Jodie. She had just given the thumbs up after I checked in with her. Less chatty than usual. She must have been stressed. The news showed how small businesses were impacted by the lack of foot traffic on the streets. For lease and for rent signs peppered the city and there was so much fraught tension in the air you couldn't even cut it with a knife.

My phone pinged again and I'm hoping it's Jodie but it's from the group chat with a few other guys on the team. I groaned inwardly. Kenny was sharing masking protocol tips and Ricardo wasn't having it, arguing the virus was a hoax.

Everyone had their own opinions about whether or not next season should happen and things were getting heated. I stepped in to play peacemaker. Tyler quickly backed me up and helped defuse the situation.

The last thing we needed was more fighting within the team. We had to act like a unit. Even if the unknown was scary and our careers felt like they were up in the air.

I increased the speed and started running, letting the rhythmic movement help me work through the stress. If anything at least I could still exercise. I still had my health which I was grateful for. Some people weren't that lucky. After my workout, I messaged my publicist to see what we could do to help out local businesses in the area.

When guys on the team got restless it was easy for some to lash out especially when everyone was at home. We needed to bring everyone together again. I talked to Tyler about some options.

The next day I got up slowly, brushing my teeth before hearing the doorbell ring. I jogged downstairs. 

There was no one there. Only a small white box sat on the welcome mat. For me? I crouched down to retrieve it, taking a peek inside.

It was a red velvet cupcake with a blue candle taped to the inside of the lid. Happy birthday in blue cursive letters.

My heart warmed at the gesture. I didn't need a note to know who it was from. I texted her thank you but didn't wait for a response. Jodie was probably busy and she would reply later in the evening.

I wasn't planning to celebrate my birthday with a big party but I couldn't say no to a sweet treat especially if it was from her. I bit into it. 

Freshly baked and stuffed inside with more cream cheese filling. My eyes widened, savoring the taste. It was gone too soon and the only evidence was the red crumbs on the counter.

I smiled as I jogged up the stairs to take a shower. It was the highlight of my day. 

*****************************

A bit of a short chapter this week but there will be a lot of Jodie and Ethan moments in the upcoming chapters, promise ;) 

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