“I know, but how would you get through your day if I didn’t make it interesting for you?” I reply, and she snorts.
“True story. So what’s wrong… you run out of cookie dough ice cream? Need me to stop by the store on my way over tonight?”
It’s Tuesday… Taco night, which is at my house this time, and I roll my eyes, looking down at my stomach. My abs are still there since I’ve been putting in the extra workouts to work off all the ice cream I’ve consumed, much to Whisper’s disgust. Plus, the workouts help let off some of the tension that’s trying to consume me. I’m not sure why I have been so tense lately. Other than that, I feel a little left out.
The only person not leaving me out is Alex. She’s here whenever I need her, and it’s nice having someone have your back. Of course, I have Nate, but while he and Ria were apart, he wasn’t much good to anyone, never mind adding my bullshit to the mix.
“Matt?” Alex asks, breaking my rambling thoughts.
“Sorry, what?” I ask.
“Dude, did you sleep-dial me?” she asks through a chuckle.
I stifle a laugh and shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No, sorry. So, I have a question. How do I choose who to take to the wedding?”
She’s silent for a moment, and then the noise in the background stops. “Who excites you more? Don’t go off looks alone. Who makes your skin prickle and your heart race? Who do you want the message to be from when your cell beeps with a text?” she asks, and I glance at the photo of us again, taking a deep breath.
You.
Of course, I keep that to myself.
I don’t even know whatthatanswer means.
It has to be our close friendship and the fact she’s my constant.
Right?
“I suppose when I get a message, out of the two, I guess I hope it’s Madeline, which surprises me ’cause I thought with Charlotte being theAprildoppelganger, I’d go for her first. But like you said, you can’t go on looks alone.”
She’s quiet for a brief moment but then replies, “Then… there’s your answer.” Alex’s tone sounds somber, like maybe she’s slightly disappointed or something. I can’t quite read it.
“You going to ask Ronan?”
She is quiet again for a pause. “I guess.”
“Alex, are you okay?” I ask, and she starts moving again, with clear noises coming through the phone as if she is dramatically shifting whatever she is doing over there, with evident agitation.
“Look, I gotta get ready to go into the gallery. We have a heap of collectors coming in today, and Nate has to shoot out for an appointment with Ria. So I have a full day if I’m going to make it to Taco Tuesday, so… I’ll see you tonight?” Another hefty bang on her end.
It’s almost as if she’s avoiding the question.
It’s odd, but I let it go. “Okay, have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.”
“I’ll get some ice cream on my way. I’ll catch ya later.” She ends the call before I have a chance to say anything further.
Sinking back into my pillows, I furrow my brows, wondering why Alex shut down like that. Maybe she and Ronan are a bust, and she doesn’t want to bring me down? Or perhaps they’re going amazingly, and she doesn’t want to tell me because she doesn’t want to be another one of those happy couples in my life.
No, surely she wouldn’t keep that a secret from me, would she?
Swallowing hard, I bring my cell back in front of my face and dial Nate’s number.
He picks the phone up pretty quickly, and I hear Ria giggling in the background. I roll my eyes as he answers, “Hey, bro, what’s up?”
“Is Alex fully dating Ronan?” I ask, and Nate scoffs out a laugh.
“Huh? I thought you’d know more about that than me?” he questions, and I slump further into my bed.
“As far as I’m aware, they’re just talking by text, but have they met? Do you know?” I ask, and Nate stops laughing and sighs.
