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“No.”
My memory dances with the image of Pleasant Grove, the small town where my ex-fiancé, Steven, and I went to high school together. After bouncing around from city to city for years, I finally landed there and stayed until I turned eighteen. I’d planned to attend a community college, but shortly after graduation, Steven moved us to Tennessee, hours away from the only place I’d ever really called home.
When I found him balls deep in another woman, I left with no destination in mind. I just had to get away from the entirety of Tennessee. I slept in my car for a few days while I tried to figure things out, and after exhausting all other options, I somehow got in touch with Cara, a girl that was in our graduating class, and even though we were never friends in school, she agreed to let me move in with her.
It was a nice change of scenery for a few weeks.
Now I’m growing to resent the place.
“I’m from a tiny town in South Carolina with three red lights and no retail stores. You have to drive at least half an hour to find a supercenter. If you drive through and blink, you’ll probably miss it,” I say, shoving all the other thoughts from my mind. I try not to think about the past unless it’s necessary. There’s too much pain and disappointment attached to all those memories, even most of the good ones. They’re better left alone in my mental filing cabinet labeled ‘emotional bullshit.’
“Are you in school?” Azarius effortlessly keeps the questions coming, and I wonder if the art of conversation is what led him to real estate, or if he picked it up later. Regardless, our interactions feel natural—almost like I’ve known him for a long time.
“Nope.” I’d already missed the registration deadline by the time I packed up and headed for Atlanta, and even though thoughts about applying for the following semester have crossed my mind, I’m not sold.
Part of the reason for my indecision is money. I’ll probably never have enough to afford a semester’s tuition. And part is because I have no clue what I want to do for the rest of my life. The idea of picking a single career to last forever feels limiting, constrictive. I crave freedom that can’t be nine-to-five.
It also can’t be found conducting an Uber through frantic downtown streets, but hopefully I won’t be doing this for much longer. One of the places where I put in an application is bound to call eventually.
They have to.
“I just don’t think college is right for me,” I say, pursing my lips. “But I’m still figuring things out. I’ve got plenty of time.”
“How old are you?” Elio asks, speaking up for the first time in a while. The wheels in my mind turn as I try to place his accent, but it’s unlike anything I’ve heard before.
“Twenty-three.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, you’re still young. You have plenty of time to decide. Don’t rush it.”
Young?Even with his perfect beard, Elio doesn’t look much older than me. Neither does Azarius.
I decide to give in to my curiosity.
“If I’m so young, how old does that make you?” I tease, flashing a cocky smile in the mirror before turning my attention back to the road.
“Old enough.”
“He’s twenty-six.” Azarius snorts with laughter, making his companion huff sharply.
“Go on and tell her my whole life story while you’re at it.”
“Don’t tempt me.” Az’s sapphire-colored eyes light up with joy. He clearly enjoys annoying Elio, and it seems he’s very good at it.
I decide to tempt him, knowing that of the two, Azarius is more likely to answer my prying questions.
“Are you guys married?”
Neither of them answer at first, and I flip my blinker on in the brief pause. We’re turning onto a busy street where traffic is thicker.
“No,” they both reply, and I can’t deny the hint of satisfaction that makes my chest flutter. My chances of seeing either of them after this car ride just increased a bit.
“Any girlfriends?” I ask, trying not to sound too excited.
“No,” they answer.
My odds just increased again.
Another question forms in my mind and falls out of my mouth before I can decide against it. “Are you two a couple?”
