I’ve never been either. How am I supposed to know?
Clicking resumes on his side of the call, and after a few seconds, it stops. But I’m still waffling, trying to figure out what those words really mean.
What would it look like to be appreciated? What would it look like to be understood?
“Leticia?” His voice is a little louder in my earbuds.
“I’m here.” I draw a slow breath. “Is it dumb that I don’t know if I’ve ever felt either of those things before, so I don’t know what it’d be like? I mean, surely, Antonella understands me a little, but then again, she’s always been able to push for things and change her own life. And I know she’s accepted my help in the past with projects and stuff, but it was never something she couldn’t do alone.”
“You really look up to her.” Royal hums.
“Until very recently, she was my only friend.” I realize I’ve been standing, holding a piece of paper dumbly for the last few minutes, so I carry it with me to my bureau to pull out pajamas.
Should I change while on the phone?It’s not like he can see me.
“Well, I’m honored to be one of your friends. Especially when I stand with such an interesting and selfless woman in that category.” Royal sounds pleased.
“I’m surprised, truthfully, that you seem open and genuine about this truce thing.” I sigh and give up changing my clothes, dropping the pajamas on the bed and walking back to my desk.
“Oh.” He clears his throat. “Well, the truce happened. I could be mad about it and waste energy, upset that we’re now in a truce and needing to merge businesses.”
I start tucking the paper back into my stack of school stuff.
“Or I can spend time getting to know people I missed out on years of knowing because some long-dead people couldn’t get their shit together.”
“That’s a good way of looking at it. I don’t think Dad and Berto see it the same way.” I freeze, realizing I said that aloud.
Royal doesn’t say anything for a long pregnant minute. “I don’t think Valor sees it entirely the same way either. Though I think he likes getting to know Antonella. He’s always more suspicious than I am. But I really don’t want to talk about Valor.”
“Oh, right. Too much like work.” I assume and reach for my ponytail, where my hair has been up all day.
“Not too much like work.” Royal sighs. “It’s just complicated.”
“Complicated?” Relieving the tension from my scalp feels so good. I try not to be rude and groan. “Complicated how? Oh, you don’t have to tell me. We were trying to change the subject. Sorry. Uhhh.”
My mind goes blank, and I look at the stack of school supplies, trying to remember the questions left on the sheet that would give me anything to talk about that doesn’t feel totally inappropriate.
“Royal!” A girlish squeal comes in the background.
“Kerrianne, no woo girl.” Royal scolds, and I hear a huff of air. “I’m on a call, gimme a second to say goodbye.”
“Okay,” Kerrianne says quietly.
“I’ll text you after dinner?” Royal offers.
“I’d like that,” I answer.
“See you later, Leticia.” Royal almost sounds pained saying goodbye.
“After while, Royal,” I answer, and he disconnects the call.
I sigh, running my fingers back through my hair. I can’t believe how honest I was with him. Worse than that, I can’t believe how good it felt to say things and not worry about being judged.
13
ROYAL
NOT A BOOTY CALL
