Page 39 of Detour

The meeting was a long time coming. Working at the garage has been great for so long, especially having my best friends there every day, but something’s been missing lately. It has for a while. We can all sense it. Like something major needs to happen to wake us up from the complacent life we’ve come to enjoy. Working, riding, the occasional race to make some side cash, it’s starting to feel a bit…ordinary. We’ve been on this path for years, with no complaints, but what if there’s more? I want to see what else there is. Working under someone else’s rules with no room for growth has become downright suffocating. That’s why we set up the meeting in the first place. It’s the first of many steps in the right direction for where we all agree we want to go.

As for our home life, we’ve lived together since graduation and it’s been a fun ride all on its own. Since Angela moved in next door, the dynamic has shifted. There’s an unsettled feeling that wasn’t there before. Almost like that’s what’s been missing. Like she’s been missing. From my life or ours, I don’t know. I do know having her in our apartment—the couple times she ventured over—was peaceful, and when she left it felt like she took something important with her. I wanted nothing more than to keep her where she was the night she passed out on our couch. To keep her where I could ensure she’d be safe from everything and everyone. I ultimately moved her back over to her place knowing she’d be angry for allowing herself to be vulnerable in front of us. Angela doesn’t do vulnerable. Her sleeping form in my space was a sight I could get used to though. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a rule to never sleep anywhere save for her own bed. Knowing she felt comfortable enough to sleep there makes me grow all kinds of warm and tingly. I might be breaking through some of her barriers already. And I can’t wait to see how much closer she’ll let me get.

* * *

The sun long gone, I meander back toward town since I lost track of time a while ago. I found a few new places for us to try out on our next group ride though.

My earpiece chirps with an incoming call.

Beck.

“Yeah?”

“Still riding?”

“Yup. What’s up?”

“I just saw your bike was gone and noticed neighbor girl wasn’t home either. Just seein’ if my newly washed truck had something to do with that.” I can imagine the shit-eatin’ grin he’s no doubt wearing.

“She’s not home yet?”

It’s dark as hell. She never works this late.

Yeah, we all know her schedule at this point. The girl’s got us by the balls and doesn’t even know it yet.

“I can go check her door to make sure.”

Next, I hear a series of knocks that sound suspiciously like the tune of “You Are My Sunshine.” What a tool.

I wait for his response while steadily increasing my speed. Angela could have a whole life that we don’t know about. Hell, we barely know the life she has right next door. The little we’ve observed and managed to piece together points to her not really having anybody in her life. She walks into school with her head down, refusing to even acknowledge her classmates. She doesn’t party, not even with us, which most people her age would jump on. The only person we’ve seen her with is Drew, but I just saw him tongue deep in his girlfriend.

“Nothin’. Did you get her number yet?”

“No. I didn’t really think I’d need it.” Lie. I tried. Many times, to be exact, but she never gave it up.

“I don’t know, man. Maybe she had a school thing. Or maybe she’s on a date.”

Always talking shit.

“I just saw her a few hours ago. She didn’t say anything,” I snap.

“Uh huh. Because if there’s one thing Angie’s known for, it’s sharing her business.”

Angie? The previous warmth seeps out hearing my friend’s latest nickname for her.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Listen, I get it, you like her, but you’re gonna scare that girl off. You need to take it easy with your approach.”

“Are you kidding me? You, of all people, are giving me relationship advice?”

“You in a relationship now?”

Whatever.

“Coming from the guy that has more of a relationship with the toilet than an actual woman.”

“We’ve been over this! I like that toilet. It’s the perfect fit for my ass.” My lips purse at the corner. “Besides, who the fuck has time to pursue women? They come to me, bro. By the dozen.”