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“Okay,” he says. “And what exactly do you need advice with?”
Taking a deep breath, I recount the last couple of weeks since my move, covering every interaction Kida and I have had. I include Friday, but minus the good bits. Sharing details has never been my style, but I do tell them, “And that’s when we kissed for the first time.”
“So, what’s the problem? It sounds like you’re heading in the right direction,” Archer says.
I slump on my stool, resting my elbows on the counter. “I really fucking like her, and I don’t know what to do with all these… feelings. Like, I think about her constantly, I wanna see her as much as possible, and talk to her about random shit until two in the morning when I can’t keep my eyes open anymore. Is this normal? ’Cause it feels borderline obsessive. And that’s never been my jam.”
“And you’ve known this girl for how long?” Dad asks.
“A few weeks. I met her within days of moving.”
“You know as well as I do, Atticus,” Uncle Sam says to my dad, “that time means nothing when the right one comes along.”
My dad nods, with a contemplative furrow to his brows. “True.”
“Dude, you are so very screwed,” Bates says. “I’ll be expecting the wedding invite by the end of the year.”
I choke. “I don’t fucking think so. That’s a giant leap fromI really fucking like hertoI wanna marry her.”
Bates shrugs. “You’re going to want to lock that shit down real soon. Put a baby in it. Once it hits, there’s no point fighting it. Just give in, bro, and go with the flow. It’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made.”
“Okay, someone had a little too much Kool-Aid today ’cause you’re making absolutely no sense,” I tell him.
Archer rolls his eyes at his best friend. “What Captain Kool-Aid is trying to say is you’re falling in love, Arlo. And as scary as that might be, it’s going to be okay. Fighting the inevitable is a losing battle, so just go with it and let it happen. Because, in the end, love is always worth it.”
I blink at my cell, at the faces of all the male role models in my life, and my forehead furrows as I continue to stare at them.
“Arlo,” Dad says, concern visible in his gaze.
I blink again. Then swallow. “You guys… you think it’s… love? Seriously? Already? We haven’t even had sex yet. How could I be in love with her? You guys are nuts. I’m not in love. I don’t even know what love is. Yeah, I like her, a lot. And I wanna date her and shit, but love? Have you lost your damn minds?” I’m breathing hard now, my chest tight and uncomfortable.
Shaking my head, I push out my stool and stand so I can pace and draw deep breaths in through my nose and out through my mouth to calm my racing thoughts and fill my aching lungs.
“Arlo,” my dad’s deep commanding voice penetrates, and I freeze, my gaze snapping to his face. “Bud, there’s no reason to panic. All Bates and Archer have done is put everything you’ve just told us together. I’ve never seen you like this with a girl, and I know you’ve been with plenty. You’ve liked those girls too. But not like this. What are you so worried about?”
I shuffle over to the couch and sit on the edge, resting my elbows on my knees and holding my cell between them. I take a minute to really think about why I’m spiraling right now. “I guess it just feels too soon for something so big and life altering. And I have no idea how to navigate it.Andit’s fucking terrifying to give someone that kind of power.”
“It’s also kinda liberating when it’s the right person,” Uncle Sam states.
“Also,” Archer says, “There’s no rule for how long these things can take. It’s different for everyone. Some people know instantly, others take time to fall. I knew I loved Lennon from the moment I kissed her, but she took more time to fall in love with me. There’s no right or wrong.”
Dax clears his throat. “I was in love with Adley since we were teenagers. Timing is important, but it has no bearing on how long it takes to fall in love with a person.”
Uncle Tom smirks. “How’s this any different to you trying to drag me into the spider exhibit at the zoo because you wanted to get over your fear?”
I laugh, remembering the day he’s referring to and instantly feel lighter. “You mean that time you pussied out and sent a nine-year-old to face his fears on his own?”
He scoffs. “I’mperfectly finewith myperfectly reasonableaversion to anything with eight legs. That was ayouproblem, and you handled it like a champ. But now you’re going to chicken out over falling in love with a chick who sounds pretty fucking awesome to me. What happened to the kid who made himself hold a tarantula?”
“I never said I was chickening out. Just that… love is big. And I’m only just getting to know Kida.” I run a hand through my hair yet again.
“We never said you were already there, man,” Bates says. “But you’re definitely on your way. And that’s really fucking cool. I’m happy for you. And you should be too. My advice is to enjoy it.”
Slowly, I nod.
“It doesn’t have to be scary unless you make it scary,” dad tells me. “And I’ve never known you to be scared of anything for long.”
I smile. He’s right. They all are.
