Instead of heading straight home that day, Larke found herself knocking on Riva’s door. While she was away at Lake Walnut, her friend had called her multiple times. Larke knew she was concerned. Going away with a guy was beyond anything she’d ever done before and her friend knew it. And frankly, Larke was tired of keeping her relationship with Chase a secret. She was bubbling inside, on the verge of bursting from wanting to tell someone about the path life seemed intent on steering her.
Riva opened the door, excitedly pulling her inside. “Good. You’re back from your rendezvous.”
Larke grinned as she entered her friend’s living room. While other kids had teased her in middle school because of her weight, Riva was one of the few girls who’d never had a mean thing to say about Larke, instead choosing to be a close friend to this day. The Indian girl was always truthful, adding a bit of humor to get her point across.
“I got back this morning.”
Riva sat on the couch with her legs folded, staring at Larke with anticipation. “Do I need to get popcorn ready? It’s not every day I get all the details about youfinallyhaving a man.” The raven-haired young woman shook her head. “I’m for real. I don’t know how you do it, going forever without having had sex.” She narrowed her gaze on Larke. “Wait a minute. If you were away with this mystery guy, please, for Heaven’s sake tell me you got laid. As your friend, I’m very much concerned you’ll one day end up with cobwebs inside your vagina.”
“That’s disgusting,” Larke muttered. She’d been hearing that from Riva for over two years now.
“Well it’s true, and I’m still a practicing nurse, unlike you. I should know.” Riva leaned closer to her. “Anyways. What’s up? By what’s up I mean tell me everything about your new man. My life is boring. I need excitement from other people.”
Larke gazed at her friend, wondering if she’d made a mistake believing she could confide in her about such a touchy subject. Feeling silly and afraid she’d be lectured about falling for a guy so quickly, she shook her head. “It’s nothing interesting.”
Riva stared at her, disbelief written on her face. She said nothing at first, then finally pointed out, “We’ve been friends since we were twelve. I think I know you well enough to recognize when you’re saying one thing, but your eyes and face say another.”
“You noticed all of that?”
“I sure do. Now tell me what’s wrong. Did something happen while you were away with him?”
“His name is Chase,” Larke answered quietly. “He’s also not a mystery man. You’ve seen him before.” She blew out an unsteady breath. “Remember that guy we saw in the bowling alley, the one at the counter when everyone got real quiet.”
Riva opened her mouth in shock. “Your mystery man is Davey, the clerk?”
Maybe at some other time she would’ve found that funny. “No, not him.”
Riva frowned. “The only other guy was that…” Her near jet black eyes widened into orbs. “Are you serious?”
“Don’t look like that,” Larke begged her friend. Her throat felt clogged fearing Riva would tell her she was a horrible person. Riva didn’t. She scooted over and placed her arm around Larke’s shoulder. “What happened? I won’t make any jokes. Talk to me.”
Larke did. She poured her heart out, excluding the intimate and personal details she knew Chase would not appreciate her sharing.
“Seeing that black guy in the library made you feel like a bad person?”
Larke nodded. “Do you think I am?”
“We both know you’re not a bad person. I’m not a psychologist, but I think anyone in your position would feel some form of guilt. You shouldn’t beat yourself up about it, especially since you and Chase have a history.”
“I wasn’t planning to,” Larke told her. “I couldn’t because whatever guilt I feel doesn’t compare at all to how hard I’m falling for Chase.”
Riva pursed her lips. “Do you think he’s in love with you?”
“I don’t know.”I hope so.
“I mean if the two of you were in love then none of this white supremacy stuff would be an issue anymore, right? He’d leave it all behind for you.” Riva eyed her carefully before adding. “Larke, he’d have to.”
All evening long after she had left her friend’s apartment, Larke thought back to what Riva said.He’d have to.
It was the obvious truth. Chase had to know this too. She hoped he did.
