Guy and Reason

Chapter 27 (Guy): How To Interpret That

Copyright © 2025 by GroveltoHEA

"I want you to come to the first game."

"Reason, would you come to my first game?"

"So, I'd really like it if you'd come to my first game, Reason."

"I'd love it if you'd come to the first game of the season."

Not one of these was working for me. I practiced different phrases in the mirror over and over and hated the way each one sounded.

Too desperate. Too clingy. Too pleading. Too stilted.

Taking a deep breath, I knew what I had to do and called Reason.

"Hey, there," she said. "How are you? Any updates on Ingritch?"

I couldn't help smiling at that name. "Nothing more than what I told you last night. That's what they told us after practice with a warning not to talk to the press about it. What are you up to?"

She filled me in on her evening, which consisted of laundry and watching Kevin Sullivan's adaptation of Anne of Green Gables for the thousandth time, and then asked what I was up to. The perfect opening.

"To be honest, I've been standing in front of a mirror practicing."

"Don't leave it there," Reason laughed when she realized I'd stopped talking. "Practicing what?"

"Asking you to my first game."

Whew. I did it. It was out there now. But then I wondered if that seemed too abrupt. Maybe I should have eased into it and sold her on the idea instead of leaving it out there to hang limply like a flag with no wind.

Oh, fuck. She wasn't saying anything, and I wondered if she'd run to the mirror to practice letting me down gently.

"I'd like that," she said finally.

I've missed playing knowing you were watching or knowing you were in the stands, Reason. Your promise ring around my neck helped ground me like your presence always did.

"I haven't seen you play since college, so I'll be curious to see if you still play the same or what's changed since you turned pro," she said.

That answered that question. Reason hadn't watched me play once since I'd cheated on her and broken her heart. I doubted she had, but I continued to play like she was watching whatever the truth was. Since she'd been the only reason I played, hoping the NFL could help our dreams come true, I always played like she was there in the stands, cheering me on like she used to.

I was convinced the only reason I was drafted was because of her. I played my heart out for her -- and only for her -- in high school and college. When I'd lost Reason, I played every game for her and also for the charity. Her ring burned against my skin, reminding me to dig deeper, work harder and be faster. There were lives depending on how well I played and I refused to let them down like I'd let Reason down.

I love watching you on the field, Guy. It's nerve-racking but beautiful all at once. 

"If you want to bring your mother, you both can sit with my mother. Or separately. Whatever you want. Let me know and I'll arrange tickets, flights and hotels."

"Do we get to see your apartment, too?"

"If you want to, but I don't want you getting impressed over how luxurious it is."

"I'll do my best to keep my feet on the ground, Guy."

"I also worry it could bring out your latent gold digger tendencies, Reason."

"Again, I'll try to control myself."

"Then it's a deal," I said, wondering if she could hear the happiness in my voice.

She's coming to my game! She's coming to watch me play! 

I did a little victory dance celebration in the room before I remembered Josh was in there with me. Looking at me strangely. A bit judgmentally, maybe. I shrugged at him and then flopped down on my bed to finish the conversation with Reason.

She accepted for her mom (I already know she'd love to see the game, so I can safely say yes for her), and I told her I'd send her the flight and hotel information. The tickets I'd wait to hear if she and her mom wanted to sit separately or with my mother.

Knowing Reason's mom and knowing how she looked out for her daughter the way she did, I figured she wouldn't let Eden come to my game alone, without being there for emotional support. Any plans she had for the weekend, even if she'd been getting married, would have come second to being there for her daughter.

"Good night, Guy," Eden said when we'd finished talking. "I'm looking forward to seeing you."

"Me, too," I said. "I don't think that came out right. To clarify, I didn't mean I'm looking forward to seeing me. You. I meant I'm looking forward to seeing you, not me."

I could feel the judgmental vibes coming from the other side of the room, but I ignored Josh.

Reason laughed, one of her real, deep laughs, and said good bye before ending the call. Not sure if she'd figured out yet that she always had to end our calls because I couldn't. Not when I hadn't been on the phone with her in more than three years. I'd set the phone beside me on my pillow and listen to her breathing all night if I could.

Once I'd slapped the phone on my chest signaling the conversation was over, Josh got up and ambled toward me.

"That was the sappiest shit I've ever heard. Pathetic, man. And don't ever let anyone see you...dance? They'd kick you off the team for that level of uncoordinated moves."

"If I'd asked for your fucking opinion, I might care."

"No wonder they call you Monk. You got zero game. And I mean zero, as in loser."

"I'd kick your ass for that, but I'm too happy to give a fuck about what you're saying."

"I figured given that...fit...you just had."

"It was a happy dance, asshole."

"Sure, Monk. We'll go with that."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Weeks later, it was finally the Friday before our first game. Eden and her mother had flown in late Friday evening with my mother. I watched the three of them walk toward me where I was waiting impatiently for Reason to arrive. And our mothers, but let's face it, my focus was on Reason.

Reason saw me first and waved, then our mothers waved, and all of their steps hurried. I was already as close to the ticketed passengers only line as I could get without being tackled by TSA agents.

When they were right in front of me, I couldn't help myself. I'd been looking forward to this for weeks, ever since Reason said she'd attend my first game of the season. I reached down and wrapped my arms around the woman I loved and always would.

"I missed you so much," I said into her ear, and I'd leave it up to her how to interpret that. For the weeks of training camp or the one hundred fifty-six weeks I hadn't laid eyes on her or all of the above combined.

As her arms went around me, I felt something right itself inside of me as it always did when she was near. Gathering her closer, I considered picking Eden up and never letting her go. Would she let me?

Her head turned toward my ear and she whispered back, "I missed you, too, Guy. I missed you, too."

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