3
Ryan
By the timeI walked from Russell’s SUV to my door, I felt shitty again and cold. Frustrated, I tossed my jacket on the kitchen table and then flopped down on the couch. I stared at my left hand that was balled up into a loose fist. When I slowly opened it, I felt what I had feared…it was now cold.
I no longer had the warmth of Russell’s hand. I had wanted to hold his hand, but I couldn’t do that in public. I couldn’t touch him in public, let alone, his hand.
But he says otherwise.
It’s just not that simple.
For me, anyway.
He held my hand tightly in his on our way to my house. So much warmth ran through his hands. He made me feel warm and cared for. Now I was cold and bordering on depressed. Why couldn’t things be simple for me? Just for once.
While I waited for my laptop to boot up, my mind wandered back to the little baseball figurine that he picked up at the art fair. It was by far one of the neatest things I had ever seen. It was made completely out of nuts, bolts, screws, nails, metal washers, and other similar things. I would have bought it if I had known Russell was going to snatch it up. He said he wanted it. Maybe the baseball player figurine reminded Russell of me.
April and Kim were online and I decided to go chat with them for a bit. They knew that Russell was taking me somewhere today, so I knew they’d be interested.
Ryan: What’s up?
April: Ry-guy!
Kim: Hello, stranger.
I smiled and began to relax a little as the ladies started to grill me about Russell.
April: So, where did Russell take you today?
Kim: Did he take you to lunch? Maybe a beautiful lunch at some glitzy restaurant overlooking the Strip?
April: Doubtful. Remember, Russell told him to wear whatever made him comfortable. The former Top of all Tops isn’t going to some glitzy restaurant with his boy wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Right, Ry?
Kim: Ryan! Did you wear jeans and a t-shirt to go anywhere with that man?
April: See? Notice the silence on his part?
Kim: Mmhmm. I am taking notice.
April: Again, no way there was a glitzy lunch on the menu with the genius here in jeans and a t-shirt.
Ryan: Cut me a little slack. How do you ladies know that I wore jeans and a t-shirt? I could have surprised both of you with itchy pants and an itchy sweater.
It was rapid-fire with the laughing emojis and gifs. April and Kim were both certain that my attire was jeans and a t-shirt. Which it was, they knew me so well.
April: Hell hasn’t frozen over, Ry-guy. I know for a fact you didn’t wear anything other than jeans and a t-shirt.
Ryan: How?
Kim: Russell told you to dress comfortably.
April: And comfortable to you is a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Am I right?
Kim: You’re right. He’s not denying it.
Ryan: Damn, you two.
Kim: Where did he take you in your jeans and t-shirt?
