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Jonathan shoots me an apologetic smile. “At least it’ll be quiet tonight.”
I’m banking on it. Quickly, I reply that I can and shove my phone away, determined to deal with everyone else later.
* * *
It’s notuntil that evening that I remember to check my phone. It’s nine-thirty by the time work slows down enough for me to take a breath. Leaning back in my seat, I pull it out and check my messages.
Pianna: I swear I see Joey everywhere, Bri.
Pianna: Miguel is taking me out to lunch to make me feel better. I wish I could just tell him what’s going on.
Pianna: BUT DON’T WORRY, I WON’T
Pianna: Urgh, the place he was going to take me was closed.
Pianna: Shit, I think I just saw Joey waiting in the booth of this new place.
Pianna: It wasn’t him.
Pianna: I think I’m going to find a therapist. This is getting out of hand.
Pianna: It’s been so long. Why is this still happening to me, Bri?
Pianna: Briiiiiiiiiii. Stop being a responsible employee and talk to me!
Pianna: JK
Pianna: But seriously, call me later?
Reading through my best friend’s text messages is nearly enough for me to just shove my phone back into my pocket and ignore it for the rest of the night. I can practically feel her anxiety coming through the screen. Unfortunately, as much as I wish I could ignore it all, I have a ton of missed messages waiting for me in the group chat. Bracing myself, I open it up.
Jason: How do you feel about going to a football game with us, dollie?
Jason: Grant has one next week in the town over.
Trip: Don’t ask her, just tell her to come.
Trip: Dolls don’t have opinions.
There’s a lull in the conversation. I don’t know if they’d been waiting for a confirmation, or if they got busy, but an hour later Jason pushes the issue.
Jason: Hello?
Trip: I think dollface is ignoring us
Grant: I think she learned her lesson about that.
Trip: Dolls are brainless, why would we think she would’ve learned her lesson?
Grant: You’re right. How foolish…
My stomach drops at the way the chat is headed. Again there’s a pause in the conversation. This one lasts over two hours.
Jason: I’m not saying that I love you, dollie, but GODDAMN. We just opened up the container of chicken empanadas for lunch and *kissy face emoji*
Jason: Mom says I should marry whoever cooked this.
Jason: I’m not inclined to disagree.
