The sound of mastication has ceased—the only sign that Eric heard me.He’s moved a few feet away, his back to me as he stares out at the water.
“Saturdays will be good tip nights,” I add, “but it stinks that my schedule will cut into our weekends together.”
Weekdays were too busy with classes and Eric’s fraternity obligations back at school, but we hung out every weekend.
He turns, unloads drinks from his backpack, and takes off his shoes.He stretches his arms above his head with a lazy yawn.
“That won’t be a problem, will it?”I say.“You don’t have classes Friday through Monday.You can still visit on the weekends if you want.”
Though we’re the same age, Eric has been a slacker.He’s taking summer classes so he can officially graduate.
He shrugs and picks up a smooth, flat rock from the shore.He flicks it with his wrist out at the water.The stone skips across the surface for several beats before sinking.“Work as much as you like.You want to save money for your fancy grad school.I’ll be busy with classes.”
Kind of a noncommittal response, and snarky.Eric’s never been enthusiastic about me attending law school, but he’s also never put me down for it.We haven’t discussed the future, but I figured we’d do the long-distance thing while I’m away.
Suddenly, the rift between us these last couple of weeks—and the sexual dry spell I’d attributed to end-of-school-year stress—takes on new meaning.Was he pushing me away?
I don’t do passive, so I ask, “You think you’ll be able to make it up here next weekend?”
Eric rummages around in his backpack.“Probably not.”He raises his head and waves to Gen, who finally nears.“I’ve been assigned my first project.I’m meeting with study partners next weekend.Then there’s a party with the guys.”
We’ve been together for two years and have never been attached at the hip, but the way Eric’s avoiding my eyes and the tension I sense from him has me on high alert.He’d say if something was wrong, wouldn’t he?
Gen drops her backpack on my towel with a thud, her face red, her mouth turned down.
I mentally pause from overanalyzing Eric to consider my BF.
Now Gen’s upset too?I razzed her earlier, sure, but she’s used to that, and she dishes it back in equal doses.
Was she thinking about the A-hole?Is that what took her so long and why she looks like someone stole her puppy?
I lift my chin, eyebrows drawn together, questioning.She shakes her head, but the troubled look on her face remains.
Eric sits beside me and rubs my shoulders too roughly.“Going for a quick dip—anyone want to join me?”He looks from me to Gen.
“Too cold,” I blurt absently.
“Didn’t bring my bathing suit,” Gen says without looking up.She scoops a handful of gravel and pours it slowly onto the ground.
Eric leans over my shoulder and grins lewdly.“Feel free to go in the buff, Gen.I don’t mind.”
Gen flinches, and I elbow Eric in the ribs.Ass.Can’t he see something’s bothering her?
He laughs and strides to the water’s edge.
His stupid comment has one positive effect.It’s wiped the depressed look from Gen’s face.
She shakes her head at his retreating back, her expression annoyed.“Do your hormones ever cease firing?”
“Never,” he shouts over his shoulder.
He jogs the last few feet to the water’s edge and dives in.The lakes is Tahoe are cold enough to shrivel his balls into tiny grapes, but he appears unfazed, skimming the lake in smooth strokes toward a giant boulder in the center.
Gen and I sit in silence as Eric climbs atop the rock like he’s Columbus discovering the New World.
She drops the gravel and brushes off her hands on her shorts.“How are things with him?”She balances her arms on her knees in a pose similar to mine, and stares at her feet.
First, the thing she’s not mentioning that’s upsetting her, and now the random question about Eric?I never mentioned the dry spell to her, figuring it was temporary.
