Page 68 of Bless My Body

I know I can’t be a hermit forever. It’s not good, and it’s making me feel fucking pathetic. I gave

myself four days to mope around, but now I need to shake it off. Celine will reach out when she’s

ready. I know she will.

After my nightly shower, I hear Sadie and Liam in the living room, and it sounds like they’re

watching a movie. I leave my phone on the bed and join them on the couch. I refuse to spend another

night acting like a heartbroken kid. I knew this was a possibility with Celine. I’ve just got to chill out.

Liam doesn’t act like it’s weird to see me out here. He keeps his eyes on the screen and his hand

in the bowl of popcorn the two of them are sharing. Sadie looks at me out of the corner of her eye but

thankfully doesn’t say anything.

We watch the movie just like we used to. It’s one I’ve seen multiple times, so it doesn’t matter that

I missed the beginning. We all laugh at the funny parts and comment on the ridiculous parts. Sadie

even throws a piece of popcorn at me at one point.

It’s fun and chill, and it’s just what I needed to get out of my funk.

Well, at least a little.

After the movie, I go back to my room. I’ve got another long day tomorrow, so I have to get to bed

early.

My phone is still on my bed, and I’d actually forgotten I left it there. I don’t want to look at it and

see zero notifications from a certain redhead.

But, my willpower sucks when it comes to her, so I grab it. The screen lights up, showing one

missed call. For approximately two seconds, my heart speeds up until I see that it’s a missed call

from my mom.

Damn it.

I debate whether or not to call her back, but I know if I don’t, she’ll think something happened to

me and probably call every hospital and police station within a twenty-mile radius of my apartment

building.

I click her name and wait for her to answer.

“Hi Ezra,” she answers, sounding a little tense, which makes me think this isn’t going to be a fun

conversation.

“Hi, Mom. Sorry I missed your call. Hope I didn’t wake you,” I say, trying my best to sound like

the perfect son with the perfect manners she tried to train me to have. I love my mom. Of course, I do.