Page 80 of Don’t Be A Stranger

Moose waves me off, already knowing the question I have yet to ask aloud. “I’ll tell you later.”

Preston stands, his phone now in his hands. Moose decides to be straight-up nosey. Or he’s decided that tonight is meant to be his last night on this planet. Moose shoves his face in front of Preston’s phone. Preston doesn’t hesitate to push him away, but Moose just laughs while rubbing his forehead. “Tell Callahan I said hi and I love him.”

Ah, yes. Lucas Callahan. Another hockey star who’s far bigger than should be allowed—and he’s considered the “shorter” one, according to Moose—

I’m seriously going to start looking into what they’re being fed.

“No,” Preston sighs, exasperated. “You can tell him that yourself.”

Moose picks up Preston’s coffee from the counter and takes one quick look at me. “See you later, man.”

I give him a lazy salute and watch them leave the cafe.

An hour later, Mario tells me that it’s time I head home. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m starting to organize everything in alphabetical order just for the hell of it, or he’s sick of seeing my face for the past twelve hours just today.

I don’t want to go back to the apartment, though. Or hang out with Moose. I want to call Summer, but instead I call Lily from my car that remains parked behind Metric’s.

The phone rings a few times and she picks up on the fourth ring.

“Hi, Lils!” I smile because thank god I at least have one of my best friends in a moment like this, but my excitement is quickly replaced by slight disappointment when I hear a familiar gentle, warm voice.

“Hey, kiddo. Sorry to disappoint but it’s just me.” Freddie speaks into the phone.

Realistically, I know that if something were wrong with Lily, Summer and I would’ve gotten a call, but my heart still can’t help but race.

“Everything okay, Mr. H?”

“Oh, yeah,” Freddie chuckles and I hear him scratch at the scruff of his face. “We were watching a movie with Lils, but she must’ve taken her meds a little early ’cause the kid is passed out.”

I’m glad Lily is finally taking her meds but damn did I need to talk to her. I can’t complain, though. I’d rather have her safely sleeping on her couch than staying up to all hours of the morning with her spiraling thoughts.

“Want me to see if I can wake her up?” Freddie asks after a moment of silence.

“No,” I sigh. “I didn’t need to tell her anything important. I’ll just try again tomorrow.”

“Alright, well tell Summer I said hi and we miss the both of you.”

I swallow hard and hold back from telling Freddie everything. He’s always known how to fix things. Make things better. I often went to him and Estelle instead of my own parents for any and everything. I knew I wouldn’t be belittled that way.

Instead of telling Freddie everything I want or begging him to tell me what I should do, I say, “Yeah, Mr. H, I’ll tell her.”

And then we hang up.

My limbs are too heavy for me to even bring myself to turn my car on, put it in reverse, and drive anywhere. Maybe I’ll just sleep in the parking lot. Or perhaps I can go find Preston and ask him to knock me out.

Then maybe I could get a good night’s rest.

My phone pings and it’s kind of sad how quickly I reach for it, dropping it on the floor in the process. When I do pick it up, I realize that I might have attachment issues. It’s been four days and I’m already finding it hard to be away from Summer. I’m surprised my body hasn’t broken out into hives due to the withdrawals.

Bora: Hey, Dae’s in town. He’s wanting to grab dinner. We’re thinking Indian or Thai??

Me: I’m sure he doesn’t want me ruining the vibes.

Bora: He specifically asked you to come.

I immediately hit Bora’s caller I.D. It rings once before she answers.

“If he wanted me to go then why didn’t he call me himself?” I ask.