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GIBSON
It’s well past ten and I’m about to close my eyes. Texts to both Stone and Charis have gone unanswered, especially when I noticed on Instagram a picture of Charis and Meadow with Stone and Jett. The day was long and seeing them together without me was the proverbial f-you from the universe. I ended up missing a lesson for our weather unit. I seem to have learned more about clouds than I ever thought I would need to know. It’ll help me if I ever make it on Jeopardy.
I turn back the covers, leaning over to switch the light off, when my phone rings.
“Yeah?” I answer. I don’t peek at the name on the screen. It’s one of two people, and honestly, I’m a little peeved at both.
“Teach, you asleep?”
“I’m here, just crawling in to bed. That’s it.”
He’s quiet on the other end.
“So, you called me to see if I was awake.” I hadn’t realized how irritated I’d been at both Charis and Stone until now.
“You upset?” His question is short and sweet and to the point.
“Um, let me think on that. Oh, no, I don’t have to. This may be silly, but I saw on social media that you and Charis met up at the Pizza Palace. Not just that, but all four of you looked like a cozy little family. Everyone from the hospital commented, too, of how sweet you all are together.” I stop because I’m just starting and need time to gather my thoughts. “So, yeah, now that I think of it, I’m upset. No, forget that, as you would say, I’m bloody mad.”
He’s still quiet on the other end, which makes me angrier by every second he stays mute.
“You going to say anything?” I ask, and my tone conveys my emotions from earlier.
“Are you finished, Teach?” he questions, and though the words piss me off, his tone is what I’d guess is understanding.
“Not really, I’m just getting started, but go ahead with whatever you want to say. I’m almost amused by what may come out of your mouth.”
“All right, I can tell you’re jealous and a little upset. I see your side of things, but Jett and I decided last-minute to go out for dinner. He talked me into the pizza joint from hell. I ran into Charis there. More like she ran into me. Anyway, we both said that it felt weird without you with us, and that it’d been way too long. I’d never just arrange it, not now, not when this is so new. I know jealousy can begin like a wildfire and I’m trying to prevent that. As a matter of fact—”
I interrupt him. “I texted you to get an understanding of what happened so this wouldn’t escalate. And I hadn’t heard back from you.” Man, I feel like a pussy fool, getting so angry about this.
“Your feelings have justification, Teach. And I’m sorry as fuck that I made you feel unwanted. Truth be told, I’d thought about pulling for my phone to ask you to come our way. But how would we explain that?”
Well, shit, he’s right. “You still could’ve given me the option. I wouldn’t have come, but at least I would have known you wanted me there.”
The silence hangs on the line for a while. “Teach?” he asks and maybe he thinks I hung up.
“Yeah?”
“Listen, you need to know, regardless of what emotions may overtake you, that I want you as much as Charis. Just because you see some cute social media post doesn’t mean I didn’t want you with us. We’re likely to run into each other more often due to the fact that we have kids and work at the hospital.”
Do I get it? Do I want to understand his side? Yeah, I do because I can’t go on like this. It’s how I know I’m falling in love with them both.
I don’t answer and he continues. “Your emotions are valid. I come across as the egomaniac know-it-all control freak, and where I am all that, I have my insecurities and seeing you and Charis on social media would make me question it, especially since we agreed after two weeks ago, all or nothing when it comes to seeing one another, unless the other specifically says it’s okay. I’m really sorry, Teach. I truly am.”
Did I think the egomaniac, know-it-all control freak was this humble and would apologize in this way, well, hell—I didn’t. “I appreciate that, Doc, but I’ll admit I didn’t think you’d see my side of this.”
He lets out a small, deep chuckle he’s so famous for. “Ouch, do I come across that much of an arsehole?” I have my mouth open to answer when he cuts me off. “Don’t answer, after all.”
“Thanks, Stone, for understanding.”
“Of course, I’m not unreasonable, baby. And I wished you were with us. And since we’re on that subject, Care and I came up with plans for Friday night. And before you say no, hear me out.”
“Okay, but again, you’d not make a good lawyer with your argument. But I’m listening.”
The chuckle of his, again, radiates through the line. “Yeah, I guess I’d be poor and never would have met Simon, who hooked me up with this job, nor would I have met you or our beautiful nurse. I guess it’s a good thing. But here goes.” He takes a beat. “Charis and I went on a picnic three weeks ago. And it was fun, lovely and all that. We want to do it again but to bring our kids.”
I heard enough. I’m not ready for Jett to see us together. I guess if it were just me and Stone dating, it would be okay, but this is different. Technically, I’d have to disclose my relationship with a student’s parent.
