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Twain gets in a go-kart with Ryle, and so I go out on the track and claim one for myself. When I look back, Truman is at the gate by the attendant, mouth agape watching me.
“Let’s go, Woolff,” I call him out, and he accepts my challenge with a grin.
First I pay more attention to Twain and Ryle, but finally, my competitive streak kicks in. Ryle’s having a blast, so I start watching Truman’s go-kart, and I do my best to lap him.
Later, Truman carries Ryle inside. Since he conked out in the car on the way home, I tell Truman to take him straight to his bedroom, and we wrestle him into his pajamas without waking him.
It’s been such a good day I don’t want it to end. But I’m a little fidgety as Truman and I make our way back down the hall to the living area of the house. Whether we rush back together or not, I’m not ready to take anything further physically. And not just because Ryle’s in the house.
“Thank you,” Truman says softly. I follow him when he goes straight to the door. I’m a bit relieved and a bit disappointed that he knows sticking around right now isn’t a good idea.
“For what?” I fold my arms over my chest and tip my head at him. “Being your comic relief?”
His grin is the same as it was eight, even ten years ago, and I have to jerk my gaze away from his face.
“Well, that too.”
“Thanks for asking me to go,” I tell him.
He shoves his hands into his hip pockets, and I recognize the move. He’s reminding himself we’re not there yet. Too soon to dive headfirst into anything. Best to tiptoe back to the physical relationship we used to have. It’s the same reason I’m standing here with my arms over my chest. I need the barrier, because part of me would love to throw my arms around Truman and never let go.
“So.” He clears his throat. “Still going to Florida?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “Just Dani and me.”
He groans softly. “I love that you’re gonna get a little break and soak up some beach time.” I know him well enough to know he’s sincere. “But I hate that you’re gonna be gone. Especially now.”
I do, too, but I refuse to have second thoughts on hanging out with my best friend. And being apart right now might be good for both of us. It’s a natural brake for how quickly things are moving right now. Maybe if I’m gone for a few days, Truman will remember he doesn’t need me. Doesn’t love me. That we’d be better off as friends raising our son together.
The thought makes me queasy.
Maybe being away from each other will make everything a little easier to see, too. Maybe we’ll miss each other in a different way than we’ve been missing each other for the past six years.
“I know.” I nod. “But I’m looking forward to it.”
“You should be,” he agrees with me. “When do you leave?”
“Thursday.”
“Five days.”
“Yeah.”
“And you’ll be gone how long?” he asks me.
“Back on Monday afternoon.”
“And it’s okay with you if I see Ryle? Every day?”
“Of course it is,” I answer immediately. “I want that for both of you, Truman.”
“One more question.”
I laugh and nod for him to ask away.
“I don’t wanna bother you on your getaway, but…can we text at all?”
“I’d like that.”
