Oh, right. I lift my left shoulder in a careless shrug. Luke might drive me insane, but he makes Max happy. At the end of the day, that’s what truly matters to me.
“Fine. If he wants you to stay here, just stay here.” Luke’s eyebrows rise at that, and I shrug again, unable to help the scowl creeping across my face. “I’m going to go shower unless you need anything?”
Luke shakes his head, eyes dropping down to Max’s face. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen my friend look so relaxed, and something releases in my chest at the sight. I’ve felt so responsible for him since we moved here, but maybe I can loosen my grip now that Luke is here to help me. Maybe, I won’t have to be so fucking alone anymore.
Feeling an odd mix of physical exhaustion and high energy, I fill a glass of water at the sink before going into my room to shower. Chugging the water while I strip, I toss my sweat-damp clothes into the hamper and turn the shower to cold. I feel jittery, like the endorphin rush from my run isflooding my system like cocaine. I almost wish I was still running—anything to get this nervous energy expelled.
My phone, resting on the counter next to the sink, buzzes with a text message. Pausing, I try to think about who might be texting me. Max is already here, and I don’t have any other friends outside of baseball. None of them usually message me unless they want something, though, and the season is over. Stumped, I’m nearly finished washing my hair by the time it hits me.
Nate.
Sticking my head under the water, I rinse as quick as I can, suddenly desperate to check my phone. We’ve been texting on and off since our impromptu phone sex, but nothing more in-depth than the occasional meme orgood luck at your game tonightmessage. The more I think about the possibility of it being Nate, the more excited I become. The sudden need to talk to him thrums through me, making my movements clumsy as I climb from the shower and towel off. Snatching up my phone, I fight against the way my mouth tries to pull into a smile at the sight of Nate’s name on the lock screen.
Nate
Hey
I have the strangest desire to reach through the phone and hug him. He couldn’t have texted me a more simple message, but the mere fact that it means he was thinking about me fills me with warmth. I wish I could see his beautiful face, or hear that smooth, sexy voice. As it is, texting will have to do and my imagination can fill in the rest.
Marcos
Hi. How are you?
Nate
Good!! Well, kind of lonely to be honest. All my roommates are gone.
My friend Micky just left. We had a Transformers marathon today because neither of us have seen them.
I snort. Of course he did.
Nate
What did you do today?
I start to type the first thing that comes to mind, but end up deleting it. The truth is, I spent it with Max and eventually Luke, before the police showed up and really fucked up the day. But that’s not the answer he wants, nor the one I’m willing to give. As always, I’ll have to give only some of the truth and keep the worst parts to myself.
Marcos
Just hung around with Max and Luke.
Nate
Fun! Tell Max I said hi. I’m going to miss him.
I always get a little bummed when I go home. No more hockey.
But also happy because I get to see the horses.
I bite my lip, desperately trying not to find that admission endearing. Fuck, but I want to see him sobad. Just for an hour or two, I want to feel like a normal college student whocan have meaningless sex without guilt or physical discomfort; who can feel safe enough to trust themself with a stranger.
Marcos
I’m not doing anything tonight, if you wanted to hang out.
Nate
Are you serious?
