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Me?
I reread old texts between Lottie and me as if they were lyrics to unrequited love songs.
How’s that for pathetic?
I should call her. I should muster the courage and call her just to ask her why she’s been avoiding me since Piper’s birthday party. Whatever grievances she may have, I’ll fully own up to them and apologize if it means having her in my life again.
The only thing I won’t do is apologize for that kiss a second time.
One time was painful enough.
I glance over at the time on my phone screen and see that it’s almost midnight. I’m supposed to be up in five hours for practice, but here I am, staring at my phone, trying to summon the courage to call her. A text won’t do since she’s made it evident that she isn’t above leaving me on read, and going to her office to ambush her there is not an option either.
Fuck it.
My finger is on the dial button before I have time to second-guess myself.
Each second that the phone rings, my chest feels like it’s about to explode with anxiety.
Not sure why I’m so anxious, though.
It’s not like she’s going to pick up and answer my call at this hour.
This was a stupid idea.
What was I thinking?
“Hello,” a groggy voice answers.
“Lottie?”
“Hmm, Nate,” she says with a soft moan.
“Hi,” I choke out nervously.
“Hmm… Nate,” she moans out my name again.
“Lottie.” I clear my throat. “Lottie, it’s me. Nate,” I say more clearly.
“Wait… Nate? Nate!” she blurts out, sounding more alert now.
“Hi.” I croak, feeling my heart doing stupid backflips in my chest.
“Um… hi… wait… Is everything okay?” she rushes to ask, sounding genuinely concerned.
“I don’t know. You tell me. You angry at me or something?”
“What?” she asks, confused.
“I asked if you’re angry at me. You don’t answer my texts or see me back at the office, so what else am I supposed to think? That I have offended you somehow?”
“You have done no such thing. I’ve just been… busy, that’s all,” she tries to justify.
“Too busy for your friends?”
Too busy for me?
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I guess work got the best of me, and I didn’t realize how much. The holiday season has been a bit overwhelming. But you’ve been getting along so well with Riley that I really didn’t think you’d even notice, much less mind.”
