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Connor was tempted to simply end the call and then quickly block Trey. It was as good as banishing him.
But his fear of conflict and his curiosity got the better of him. “What’s up?”
“What’s up,” Trey answered quickly, “is that I miss you.”
And Connor warmed at the notion someone missed him. Warmed and cursed himself for weakness at the same time. Being missed seemed like a small thing, but when one was alone all day locked in an imaginary world, the least bit of attention could magnify itself easily into something more.
“Really?” he mumbled, shaking his head, but unable to halt the smile flickering across his face.
“Yes, really.”
Connor waited for him to say more, and when a few unfilled seconds went by, he had to say, “Trey. I honestly never thought I’d hear from you again. We parted on such bad terms.” There. It was out. It was probably a simple thing for a normal person to say in the situation, but for Connor, it represented courage.
He expected Trey to act as though he didn’t know what Connor was talking about. It was what Connor himself would do if the tables were turned, even though he’d never behave as Trey had.
But Trey surprised him—in a good way.
“I know. I know. I was a jerk. That’s why I’ve been afraid to call again, even though I wanted to. I thought I’d really blown it. But I was feeling insecure. That night and right now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, being in the presence of this famous person…”
“I’m not—” Connor began to protest.
“Don’t go all humble and modest on me. Youarefamous. And rich. I was intimidated, and maybe I was trying too hard. Really, Connor, I just thought you’d be pleased with what I’d done. Now, I see how stupid and insensitive it was. I’m sorry.”
Well, this was a surprise. Connor quickly saw how Trey might have not been the savviest guy, but maybe his intentions hadn’t been so horrible after all. “My mother always taught me that life is a lot easier if we forgive people. She said everyone’s sort of living in their own little world, and we can try and figure out their motivations, but we can never really know. Not for sure. So I’ll listen to Mom, god rest her soul, and say that I forgive you.”I don’t know if I trust you. I don’t know if I really want to see you again, if that’s even what you’re calling about. But I can forgive—at least for me, if for no one else.
“Thanks. Your mom sounds like a smart lady.”
“She was.”
Silence for a bit and then Trey said, “Would you let me make it up to you? Show you I can be a decent fellow? I’d love a second chance to demonstrate I’m not the asshole you encountered last time.”
Connor surprised himself. “Ah, I don’t know, Trey. My daughter thinks I’m moving too fast for someone just out of a really long-term relationship. Maybe she’s right.” Connor eyed the lunch for one, waiting for him. He thought of how he’d had his evening all planned out—Line of Dutystreamed on BritBox with a bowl of popcorn. He’d pause the second episode to down a cannabis-infused gummy, and then totter off to bed, where the THC would send him off to dreamland.
“Come on, man. I’ll feel terrible that we left things as we did. AsIdid. I’m not really a jerk. We all mess up, right? Tell you what. Give me one more chance—dinner on me, a couple drinks, and then we can part ways, either with plans for more lined up, or a lesson learned. I won’t bother you again, if that’s what you want.”
“Well, maybe.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Friday?”
Connor really wasn’t sure. On the one hand, he was thrilled to be the object of attention, contrition even, of this hunky man. But on the other, he’d kind of moved on. He thought of the famous Maya Angelou quote, now the subject of countless memes. Still, what she’d said was true: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
Yet, Trey seemed so contrite, so sorry, so eager for one more chance. Wasn’t this also showing who he was?
Connor certainly had made a few colossal blunders of his own over the years. What would be the harm in just having dinner with him? He’d be extra careful, watching and judging with a detached and objective eye.
He’d be able to tell if the guy was for real, right?
After all, Connor had nothing at all planned for the weekend. In fact, he was thinking of going to the humane society and seeing if a friendly feline face awaited him that weekend.
And that thought spurred him to say, “Okay. Friday sounds good.”
“Yay! I’m so glad. You won’t regret it. Should I pick you up at your place?”
Connor shook his head and reminded himself to keep things more casual this time. “I’ll meet you. Sound good? I have lots of errands on Friday,” he lied. “It’ll be easier.”
