Prove It To Me

“Well, I have to catch a flight to Winnipeg in a few hours. I can give you a ride home before I go if you want,” Sid replied.
“That’s not what I meant Sid. That’s fine, but what I was trying to ask was, what's gonna happen to… well… us now?”
I see the recognition in his eyes when he understands what I’m talking about.
He looks down shyly, scruffing his shoe on the pavement, making a loud scratching noise. I try to focus on the sound, praying the awkward silence will end as I await his answer. He doesn’t seem to now what to say. Suddenly I realize how stupid I’ve been. He doesn’t actually like me. The wink at another girl, the staring was all in my head, he only brought me here because he was being a concerned and caring citizen. He only wants to be friends.
Once I figure this all out, I break the silence, ” You know what, I don’t want you to be late for practice. I live pretty far away from here. I’ll just call a cab, sorry to inconvenience you. Thank you again... for everything,” I say sadly, and begin to walk back through the hospital doors to call a cab.
“Wait! I’m sorry,” he says as he desperately reaches for my arm with pleading eyes,”I just didn’t know what to say, I’m not really smooth when it comes to talking to girls, but please don’t call a cab. I’d be happy to drive you home, even if I am late for practice, the team can wait.”
I look down at his hand clenching my arm, he wasn't letting go any time soon. Still trying to decipher whether he’s just being friendly or not, I look up nod okay.

(1 hour later)

We pull into my driveway after an hour of driving through Pittsburgh. He turns off the car… there’s that awkward silence again. I nervously fiddle with latch on my clutch from the night before. It makes a comforting clicking noise, something, anything, to break the nervous silence in the air.
“Could I get your number? So I can contact you another time? Perhaps after practice today? Like I said before, I know I’m not good with girls, but I’d really like to get to know you better. I really like you,” he says finally.
It’s like a weight lifted off my shoulders. He does like me, I’m not crazy. I look up from my clutch with questioning eyes. Sid’s looking at me in a way no one else has before. Like he really cares, and understands. In that moment I decide he’s not lying, and he’s not saying that just because he pities me either. Those words came straight from his heart. It’s amazing how you can tell so much just from the look in someone’s eyes. I wonder what he sees in mine. I must have been quiet for a long time because he was starting to look worried.
“I’d like to get to know you better too,” I say with a shy smile.
He smiles in reflief. I give him my number, which he punches into his phone, and open the door of his range rover.
“I’ll call you tonight once I arrive in Winnipeg,” he says as I close the door shut.
I wave and smile in reply as he backs out of my driveway. I watch his car drive down my street into the distance until I can no longer see it. He will be miles away by the end of the night. Instantly I long to see those hazel eyes one last time. Last time I checked the scheduale, he won't be back till Wednesday, three days from now. I sigh. The thin layer of snow crunches under my feet as I numbly shuffle to the front door of my house. It’s the middle of January, hockey started late because of the lockout. I live by myself in a small suburban house that I bought with the money I make as an accountant for a small company and a little help from my parents who live on the other side of town. I have a small car that sits in the drive way. And there’s another black pick up truck that belongs to Kyle parked behind it. Wait… why is Kyle’s truck here? My heart rate quickens, along with my pace, and I hesitate at the door with my keys. I forgot Kyle knew where the spare key was hidden. I turn the key in the lock and cautiously open the door. It makes a loud creaking sound. I wince and pause to listen for approaching footsteps. Nothing. I manage to soundlessly close the door behind me. As I kneel down to take off my heels I notice Kyle’s black dress shoes from the night before sitting next to the door. He is here.
“Rebecca? Is that you?”