Three hours and half a dozen beers later, I couldn’t stand it a minute longer.
Nate: Any news?
I didn’t want to message Derek but I had no choice. I was going out of my mind.
Derek: She’s home.
“What the fuck!” I boomed through my barely furnished house, hearing the echo bounced back at me. Josie was home. I’m assuming safe and sound, and Derek, the fucktard, hadn’t even bothered to let me know. I wanted to smash his face in. Right now though, I had bigger issues.
Nate: And???
Derek: She’s okay.
Nate: Okay? Seriously?
This whole night had gone to hell in a handbasket. All I wanted was a nice night with a beautiful woman. And I’d gotten it. Then before I’d even had the chance to enjoy it, something had spooked Josie in a big way. I wasn’t sure what exactly what I’d said or done, I just knew I didn’t like it. Not one little bit.
Dialling, I didn’t even bother to look at the clock.
“What the fuck?”
Okay, I know I should have led with a simple ‘hello.’ Instead I’d snapped and lost my shit. Probably not the best way to start a conversation with someone who already wanted to kick my ass.
“Nate, calm down.”
“Don’t, Derek. Just don’t.”
“Nate…” There was warning in his voice.
“What the fuck happened? What’d I do? I just don’t—I don’t get it. Not at all.”
“It’s late, Nate, and I’ve had a shitty night. Josie’s home and safe and asleep. Just leave it until tomorrow. Please. I’m begging you, just give her some space.”
“She told you what happened?”
I hoped she hadn’t. I didn’t need Derek, who was pretty much my only friend in this god forsaken town, wanting to kill me. I didn’t need him to get the wrong idea. I couldn’t even remember the words we’d exchanged. I’m sure I’d done something wrong, something stupid to send her sprinting out into the rainy night.
“Yeah, she did.”
“I don’t know what exactly I did…”
“It wasn’t you, Nate. I’m not one hundred percent sure what’s going on in Josie’s head right now. Hell, I’m not sure what goes through her head most days, but I don’t think it was necessarily you. Just give her some time and space. Once she settles, I’m sure she’ll talk to you.”
“Wait. Just wait. That’s what you’re telling me to do? That’s your profound words of wisdom? Am I hearing that right?”
“Yeah, Nate! That’s what I’m telling you.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Just trust me. Look, I’ve gotta go, it’s been a long night. Matilda wouldn’t settle and go to bed. I lost count how many times I sang “Twinkle Twinkle.””
I heard myself snort. Derek wrapped around a tiny pink bundle singing “Twinkle Twinkle” wasn’t an image that popped into your head naturally. He didn’t seem the type. Or maybe that was just me projecting.
“Sounds like a wild night. I’ll let you go. Thanks, Derek. Let me know if I can do anything.”
