I debate telling him, not certain if he knows anything that’s going on between Joey and me. I haven’t mentioned anything, but maybe she has, since I know they’re close.
“Things with the play are good. Aside from a few minor hiccups that come along with the territory, it’s going great. I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew. And Joey…she’s fucking phenomenal. She’s a real natural.”
I can hear the pride in Pat’s response. “That’s my girl. I knew she was destined for bigger things. She has too much charisma andjoie de vivreto be stuck inside a classroom in a job she doesn’t enjoy.” He accentuates this with a French lilt.
“That’s French, not Chinese, ya know.”
He harrumphs. “I’m flipping you off over the phone.”
Laughing, I’m reminded why Pat and I are such good friends. He’s always been the life of the party and has a great sense of humor and is a solid friend.
Pat continues. “But aside from that, I hear a reticence in your voice. Is everything really okay?”
He’s also very perceptive.
“Shit,” I grumble, not sure of how much to divulge. “I don’t know how much I can say without breaking confidence, but Joey and I…we grew close.”
Silence.
More silence.
And then a loud outburst. “You fucked her?”
I can’t tell if this is angry, protective Pat, or just a surprise.
“It’s not like that. Chill out.”
“She is not a fucking rebound girl, Theo. Joey’s special and a one-of-a-kind woman.”
“I know that, Pat. Believe me, I know that. Joey’s amazing. I fell for her hard and then last night, I fucked it up.”
Big sigh over the line and then his words all blur together. “Whatdidyado?”
Yeah, time to fess up.
“We ran into Alyssa. I acted like an idiot and now it feels like it’s over between us. She wants a break to see where things go.”
If I could go back and rewind to last night, I know I would’ve done everything differently.
But life isn’t like that. We have to move past our mistakes and find ways to learn from them so they don’t happen again.
Pat’s voice breaks through my thoughts. “Okay, here’s what you’re going to do…”
