Blue asks, “Since when?”
“Since tonight.”
Another silence.
“Fuck, is that what it seems like?”
Stanley sits back on his stool. “Kind of, cap.”
“I wanted to ask her tonight.”
They shake their head. “Don’t do that.”
“Yeah.”
“It’s too soon.”
Blue pats my back. “Wait until after the games this weekend, if you still feel the same, then ask.”
Percy nods. “Agree.”
Rowan tilts his head. “Can’t disagree, cap. Give it some space. Let the girl move back in and figure it out with G first.”
My mind’s racing, thinking about this. I come to the conclusion that they’re right. “Okay. I’ll wait.”
Stanley grabs both my shoulders. “That’s my boy.”
I pat his hand. “I broke rule number one, boys.”
They look at each other and then at me.
I inhale. I broke the number one rule and now I’m fucked.
Chapter 33
Lucy
Itakethefastestshower of my life. I’m a guest here, so the last thing I want to do is take all the hot water. I’m in and out in under three minutes. I towel off in the steam and pull on the t-shirt and the pajama shorts I left folded on the closed lid of the toilet, and I let myself out of the bathroom before the steam has cleared.
The bedroom is warm, or maybe that’s just my heart when I walk in here. My phone’s face up on his bed where I left it. I walk over and pick it up.
Penelope:Hey, how did it go?Me:It was really good. I’m staying:)Penelope:Yay for you, but boo for me.Me:I know. Thanks for offering your place. I hope you find a good roomie.Penelope:I’m happy you guys figured it out. Let’s hang out this weekend.Me:Okay. Text me.
When I scroll through my other notifications, there’s a missed call from my mom. And she left a voicemail. I tap to listen to it.
“Hey, honey. It’s Wednesday, so I thought you’d be coming by today. I was just — I’m just calling to check in with you to make sure everything’s okay. I can’t remember the last time you missed a Wednesday, but I bet you’re busy with school. Call me later, okay? Love you. Bye.”
The voicemail is twenty-three seconds long, and it feels like a virtual hug. I listen to it again. I hadn’t known that she looked forward to Wednesdays because she hadn’t said anything about it until now. I stare down at the phone and zone out.
Tyr has changed her in ways I didn’t know was possible. My weekly Wednesday drive over used to be dreadful, and ever since he showed up, it’s been enjoyable. I hadn’t known that one person in your life could change everything. I can’t believe I ever questioned his intentions. He’s remained the same person I met from the beginning. I think he truly cares about her.
I open our text messages and type.
Me:Hi Mom.
I type. I delete. I type. I delete.
Me:Hi Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t come by today. I’ll come over this weekend.Mom:Hi honey. No worries. Let’s do dinner on Friday. Love you.
