Netting Crow (Blackhawks Fan-Fiction)

Chapter 14

I left Corey's house early that following morning. I snuck out quietly after getting ready for work. I knew he had to be tired, and I didn't want to wake him. The night had been absolutely perfect. I couldn't have imagined it happening differently. I drove to work smiling and replaying the whole weekend, especially last night, in my head. I was so tired, and it was going to be a really long day, but it was worth it.

Corey had practice and lunch with a friend on his first of four days off. I wouldn't have time to see or talk to him today because I had to go right from one job to the other. It was Monday night football and I had to work at my part-time job. I would hopefully have an opportunity to text him at lunch.

The day came and went quickly. I hardly had time to stop and process how tired I was. Finally I arrived home around 11 p.m. I hopped in the shower to try to relax. The hot water had never felt so good. I felt the tension from the busy day washing away, and finally began to feel better. After I got out of the shower, I had a text from my little sister, Kayla.

"Check out the photo I just liked on Instagram. It's perfect for describing how I feel about Mom and Dad."

My sister and my parents had an interesting relationship. They gave her everything as she was growing up, so now that she was 20 nothing was good enough for her, and she always felt like they were wronging her.

"I don't have any idea how I would see what pictures you 'liked.'" I replied.

"OMG! Why are you even on Instagram?!" She replied back.

"For Blackhawks pictures."

"LOL. Go to the button where your notifications show up and switch 'You' to 'Following.'"

I followed the directions she gave me, and came upon the photos she liked. Interesting that you can see what other people have commented on or liked. I found the picture that she was talking about, and it was pretty spot on.

"LOL. That's perfect." I told her.

"IKR." She said.

I scrolled down to see what else people have liked, and I saw posts that Amanda Bickell liked. Yes, I followed her, but the cool thing is she followed me back. I clicked on one that I thought was out of place. Why would she like a picture of someone's shoes?

What I saw on my phone made me sick to my stomach and broke my heart at the same time. It was a picture of Dom's shoes...in the backseat of Corey's car...with Corey sitting in the driver's seat. Why was she in his car? He said he was having lunch with a friend; was she the friend? The tears started immediately, and I crumpled to the floor.

How could I have been so stupid? How could I have thought that I was in love with him? I didn't know what to do. I hadn't heard from him today, but I had told him that I would be busy all day. However after what happened between us last night, I would think he would at least drop me a hello.

I screenshot the picture and went to bed. I cried and cried. I don't know how long I cried or when I even fell asleep. I wished I had never met Corey Crawford.

When I woke the following morning, my eyes were bloodshot and I looked and felt terrible. I went through my morning routine and tried to keep myself together. I arrived at school and everyone I came across asked me if I was okay. I said the same response. "I'm okay. I just don't feel that great."

Lunch came and Amanda came to my room as usual.

"What's wrong?" She demanded. "And don't tell me nothing!"

The flood gates opened, and I told her everything. I told her about meeting Corey at WinterFest, I showed her the pictures so she would believe me. I told her about my birthday weekend. And I told her about the photo from yesterday.

"Wow, that's a lot. I should be super pissed that you have been keeping all of this from me, but since you're so upset, I will let it go...for now." She said. "Have you talked to him about this picture? Maybe there is an explanation for it. I don't know him personally like you, but maybe he deserves the benefit of the doubt. It's not like she is in the front seat or taking selfies with him. Ask him."

"Yea, I guess I should ask him before I overreact." I agreed.

I felt somewhat better having been able to share with Amanda. She is after all my best friend, and she is always so supportive and has good advice. I continued the rest of the day holding on to the fact that I would finally get to see Nathan after a long few days. I would worry about what to do about Corey later.

After school, I picked up Nathan and we went out to dinner. He rattled on about pre-school and what he did with his grandma. It was nice to spend time just me and him. We went home after dinner and sat on the couch to watch his favorite show, Paw Patrol. Before I even realized it, he was asleep next to me. He never sleeps very well when he is at my mother-in-law's, so I can only imagine how tired he is. I carry him up to bed and get him settled in. It's only 6:45, so I have some time to myself. I guess now would be a good time to address the Corey situation.

When I get downstairs, there is a text from Corey. "Wanna talk?" He asks.

I'm not sure how to react. I should listen to Amanda and give him the benefit of the doubt, but my anger wells up and it's the anger that responds.

"No." I reply and wait.

"Why?!" He asks.

This is it. This is the end. I upload the screenshot of Dom's shoes, and attach the comment "Care to explain?" I hesitate before hitting send. Is this what I want? Can I settle with this being the end? Can't I just look past it? No. I won't settle for being anyone's second. I was that for a long time, and I wouldn't willingly be in that position again. I hit send and wait.

I waited. And I waited...nothing. He didn't even bother to respond. The tears started to flow again. My phone rang. I grabbed it quickly hoping it was him, but it was my mother-in-law. I wasn't in any condition to talk, so I let it go to voicemail. I laid down on the couch and cried again over Corey Crawford. He couldn't even bother to explain. I wasn't even important enough to him to earn an explanation for the picture. I felt my heart break again inside my own chest.

I continued to lay there for what felt like forever when I heard a knock at my front door. That's what I get for not answering my mother-in-law's phone call; she gets worried and shows up. I get up and open the front door expecting my mother-in-law, but standing on my front steps is Corey Crawford.