“Everyone needs to eat. We could get to know—”
Whatever she was about to say is cut off by the ringing of my phone. Thank Christ.
It’s my brother. I give Riley a look I hope saysI’d like some privacy, which doesn’t seem to penetrate, and turn away.
“Hey, Will. What can I do for you?”
“Just checking in. Seeing how you’re doing.” He calls me at least once a week. It’s nice. Also, slightly annoying.
“Oh, no. Sure. Of course. I can come right now.” I look back at Riley and shrug.
“What? Are you drunk? What are you talking about?” Will is understandably confused.
“No, it’s no problem at all. Be there in twenty minutes.” And I hang up.
I stand and start carefully packing away the manuscript I was working on.
“Sorry. Family emergency.” I give Riley a gentle push towards the door.
“Oh, do you need moral support? I don’t have plans. I could come with you.”
This girl just won’t quit.
“No. Thanks, anyway.” I flick off the light and stand in the doorway, waiting to close and lock it behind us.
“Raincheck then. Let me know when you’re free.” As she passes me, her hand skims across my abs. Low, low down on my abs. Unlike my response to Sadie, I can feel myself shrinking. Shrivelling.
I contemplate telling her to back off, but in my experience, ignoring these things is the best way to handle it. She'll get bored and give up. I hope.
I call Will back as soon as I’m in the car. He’s laughing before he even picks up.
“Did you just use me to get out of a situation, E?”
Fucker.
“Yes. Yes, I did. Thank you. Getting hit on by a PhD student is no joke.”
“Glad to be of service, Brother.” He’s still laughing as he hangs up.
Lesson learnt. Check Riley is not around before ever staying late again.
As part of my contract, I have to have a physical, which should’ve been completed weeks ago, but for some reason—possibly disinterest on my part—wasn’t. I therefore require a full eye exam. Including those hideous drops that make your pupils dilate and render you unable to see properly for several hours. Because I’m now, at the ripe old age of thirty-four, a geriatric, according to the insurance company.
When I arrive for the appointment at the optometrist on campus, they insist I need someone to pick me up afterwards. Apparently, their duty of care won’t allow them to let me wander around half-blind. So I call Jen.
“Sorry, Ethan. I have a budget meeting. But Sadie’s here. Or Riley. Do you want me to ask them?”
I shudder at the thought of what Riley might make of this request.
“No, don’t worry. I’ll give Sadie a call myself. I need to check on the class rescheduling anyway.”
I hate to ask it of Sadie, given how things stand, but in a choice between her and Riley, it’s no contest. Of course, Sadie being Sadie, doesn’t hesitate.
An hour later, I’m handing over my credit card—at least I hope it’s my credit card and not my driver’s licence or library card, it’s hard to tell—when my phone rings with the special ringtone I’ve set up for my brother. I almost don’t answer, but our relationship has been a bit tenuous since Jess died, so I think better of it. Repairing the damage I did when I lashed out at him is a high priority.
“Hey, Wee. Can I call you back in a couple of hours? I’ve …” I look over to see Sadie already sitting in one of the visitors’ chairs.
“No. You can’t call me back,” he interrupts. “It’s happening.”
