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I rubbed my face, feeling like I hadn’t slept in a week. With a shaky hand, I called Chris, hoping he wouldn't pick up.
“Hi, buddy. What’s up?”
Great. “Oh, nothing. I mean, there’s something. I’m calling because of something.”
He chuckled.“Okay… care to tell me what that something is?”
“Do you remember the cabin? The one the four of us used to go to?”
“The cabin.” His voice sounded wary. “Yeah, I remember.”
“I was thinking that—”
“Nope. Not happening. You and I can go grab dinner later this week, but I’ve no interest in going back to that place.”
“We had good times there.”
“Yes, but that was years ago. Things change.”
I expected Chris to be annoyed, but I didn’t expect such a straightforward refusal.I didn’t want to take it personally, but it got under my skin how easily he dismissed our precious time at the cabin. Some of our best memories were from there. Had he been faking it back then? With what I’d learned about him last night, it wouldn’t have surprised me.
“Ethan? You there?”
“Yeah, I’m here. Listen, you owe me, remember? The other day you said that I can ask for anything.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“It’s just going to be you, me, and Anthony. Jay has other plans.”
Chris went silent, but I could hear his heavy breathing. “I’m not really on speaking terms with Anthony,” he said, “Does he know you want to set this up?”
“Ant knows about it. He wasn’t thrilled—I don’t know why—but he said he’d come if you agree. For old times’ sake.”
“He said that?” I could hear his confusion.
“Yeah. Care to tell me what happened between you two?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Then don’t. Just say you’ll come this weekend.”
“This weekend? Damn, that’s soon. Do you even know if the cabin’s available?”
“Yes. We can have it Friday night. Think poker, shitty food, silly movies, and some time away from life.”
The line went quiet for a few seconds, then Chris finally said, “You sure Jay won’t be there?”
I closed my eyes and forced out the lie. “Positive. He has something going on out of town.”
“I’ll need to speak with Melissa.”
“Okay. Let me know.”
*
I paced around my apartment, unable to sit still for more than a minute. It was getting late, and I should have been eating dinner by now, but jitters filled my stomach and wouldn’t ease up. Chris hadn’t called to update me yet about his decision, but he never technically promised to get back to me so quickly. I was pointlessly losing my shit.
I decided to go grab a hot shower in the hope of relieving some of my stress, but before I got the chance, the sound of an incoming message jolted me. With my breath held tight, I grabbed my phone.Chris had sent a message. “Okay, E. We’ll go to the cabin, just the three of us.”
