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"Hey, baby," he says. I don't think it even rang.
I smile. "Hey, handsome. I feel like I haven't spoken to you in forever."
He laughs. "I figured you were busy with work and school. I didn't want to bug you, but I will say I had a plan that if I didn't hear from you soon, I was coming for you."
Now I feel a little bad that he noticed. It's been almost a whole week—if not more—since I spoke to him last. My priorities have been messed up and it’s time to take responsibility for them. I also need to get my heart straight, and that starts with being closer to Daniel more than James.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault," I say with disappointment. I honestly feel bad. "Yeah, this week was a pretty rough one. It's like you sensed it. Grammy was admitted to the hospital the other day and school is just weighing me down." Among other things, but I don't say it, obviously. "I can't wait to graduate."
"Aw, babe. I'm sorry to hear that. What hospital is she at? Maybe I can help somehow?"
I soften and give him a quick rundown of her illness as I navigate the street. "She's at Jamaica Hospital. I’m going to visit her again tomorrow."
"Want me to go with you?"
I smile to myself. He's a good guy and I can tell he just wants to help. "No, but thank you. However, I was going to see if you wanted to come over tomorrow and hang with me?"
"Netflix and chill?" he says, his voice piqued with interest.
"You’re such a typical guy." I laugh. "Whatever you want. How about I text you once I leave the hospital? Around mid-afternoon?"
"Sounds good. I'm glad you finally called. I was missing you."
"Daniel," I draw out his name. "I'll make it up to you."
We hang up right as I'm walking into my apartment. I feel a little better about talking to him, almost normal.
"Nat?" I yell out, but she's already walking toward me holding two double shot glasses. Shaking my head, I drop my purse onto the table and take the glass. My eyes light up.
"What is—Ohhhh, you got pizza!"
She lifts the glass to toast me and we throw back the shot at the same time.
"I'll take white-girl wasted for two, Alex," Natalie says, her face pinched up.
"Give me another," I say.
"One step ahead of you, sis," Natalie says, then steps aside and there's two glasses waiting for us.
I shake my head and start laughing as we take the other shot. "You're a terrible influence."
"And yet you love me anyway."
I nod. The tequila burns the back of my throat. "I feel like I can blow fire from the burn."
"That sounds like a personal problem you need to address, Ram Jam."
"Come with me. I gotta change real quick."
Natalie follows me into my room and sits on my bed, lighting up a blunt. I frown. She usually just uses her weed pen.
"Did you roll that?"
"Nope. Got it from my homie," she says, watching the flame burn up the tip. She's focused and I can't help but giggle at that her concentration.
I change into com
fy yoga pants and a baggy sweater, then take a seat next to her. Natalie takes a few puffs to get it started then hands it to me. I take a deep inhale, too deep, and feel my throat starting to tickle.
