Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 122514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“A year, Charlie.” He picked at the counter beside him. “You’ve been away from him and hurting for a full year. Why didn’t you—I mean, you could’ve called. You could’ve emailed. Anything. I would’ve been there for you. What happened with you two? You’re half the size you were back then. You were healthy and glowing, and you’re like a shallow reflection of yourself. He did that to you. I don’t care what you say. He did that to you.”
“No.”
“Yes! Stop defending him—”
“He has dementia!”
Oh—I bent over on a dry heave. I hadn’t intended to say it out loud, not for a long time. But those words were out. I couldn’t take them back.
How could I explain? The pitying looks, the confusion. Grant wouldn’t understand. He would judge me—about leaving Damian, about not being humane and staying, no matter what. Ride or die. I cut and run instead.
“He what?”
Grant’s words were soft, but still seething. The anger was still there.
I braced myself, because I knew it was coming at me.
“I can’t,” I choked out. “I can’t do this. Excuse me.”
I was empty.
I walked past Grant, tuning him out. He was saying something, but I was gone.
Suddenly I wasn’t so grateful for a day off.
I rolled over the next morning and turned my phone on.
It had taken almost the whole day for me to get the Damian shame out of me. I’d gone to Reese’s empty cabin and stayed most the day. Since the athletes were gone, we had no meals scheduled, so I’d heated some leftovers from the staff fridge. I hadn’t seen anyone else when I walked back to the village, and since it was still nice out, I’d kept going. I’d walked the trails for another hour before returning to Reese’s cabin, and then I did something I never thought I’d do.
I’d opened my laptop.
Lightning bolt!
Gasp. Shock. Yes, I actually did what my therapist suggested. I turned it on, brought up my music, plugged in my headphones, and I typed. Judah & the Lion were crooning in my ear. I didn’t know what I’d typed—half the stuff was in red squiggles from being misspelled, but I felt better at the end. Enough that I saved the document, shoved the laptop aside, and curled up on Reese’s bed to sleep the rest of the night.
It was still cold in the cabin, so it wasn’t that late, but I was too lazy to get up and check the clock in the main area. I waited till my phone flashed on to check the time, but the buzzing started, and it kept going.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Buzz.
Buzz!
BUZZ!
BUZZZZZ!
I got it.
I hit silence on my phone, but still watched the alerts come through.
Wtf?
Where are you?
U okay?
Holy fuck, gnat.
Text me.
Why do I care? I care. Fuck’s sake. Answer me.
Dude.
There was a whole list of them, all from the same number, and I had a feeling I now knew Reese’s phone number.
I pulled up the last one and texted back.
Me: I’m here. Turned phone off last night.
My phone rang, vibrating alive in my hand within seconds.
“Don’t tell me you were concerned about me?” I said in greeting. “How’d you get my number?”
He snorted. “Snagged it one night and I was bored. You’re supposed to entertain me. You’re slacking, Direction Girl.”
Ah. I’d been demoted.
I lie back on the bed. My bladder was not happy with that decision, but who knew the next time a pro basketball player would be on the phone with me? Saying I was supposed to entertain him? My bladder could wait.
“Tell the truth. You’d rather I was your roommate than Juan.”
He laughed. “Yeah. Maybe. He snores. You don’t.”
“Says you. Maybe I wait till you fall asleep and then zonk out, and I always wake up before you.”
“You don’t snore. I’m a light sleeper. I’d know.”
“Yeah, yeah. Maybe I sneak over and put earplugs in your ears.”
“I’d definitely wake up for that.” He waited a beat, dropping his voice low. “For real, though. Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” This was feelings territory. I liked Jokingland. Let’s go back there. “You gonna replace me with a new ball girl? One that’s a real ball girl?”
Another short laugh from him. “Nah. That’s not the term I use for those girls.”
“Right. Groupie.”
“That or a one-use girl.”
My eyes widened. “A one-use girl? Really? That’s crass.”
“So’s fucking.”
I could hear his smirk over the phone. Someone said his name in the background, and he responded, “Yeah. Be right there.” A door closed, and he came back on the phone. “I gotta go. You’re going to watch later?”
“Yep. A whole bunch of us are going to Grant and Sophia’s.”
“That’s the good friend of yours, right?”
“Right.”
He paused another beat. “Tell me straight. You okay or not?”
I had to smile. “Why? You worried about your gnat?”
“Maybe I’m a little concerned for my friend.”
See! We were friends. “I’ve been promoted. Direction Girl, Gnat. Now Friend, but not your ball girl.” And definitely not a one-use girl. Hell to the nah. I had more respect.