29
Randy
Well, today is Australia Day, and I didn’t need the reminder that it has been twenty-six days since New Year’s. Twenty-six long days without Rachel.
“Randy, get up!” Shelby yells at me. “Your wicket keeper,” she says, pointing to the spot I need to stand behind our trashcan.
“I’m what?” I yell back.
“Wicket keeper,” she yells again.
“I figured you have had enough self-batting, and you should try something different,” she says, a cheeky look across her face as everyone laughs at my expense.
I walk past her, shaking my head, but shooting her a wink.
“Sorry, mate, couldn’t let that one pass by.”
“You’ll keep,mate,” I say, walking over to our makeshift cricket field. Travis and Merrick are batting, and Walsh is bowling while everyone else stands around fielding.
I admit I didn’t want to play, but it was just what I needed. For the next hour I do nothing but have fun laughing with our friends; no thoughts of Rachel, and that’s a first for a long time.
“HOWZAT!” Jason yells as Shelby holds her finger up signaling that Christian is out.
Jason cheers.
“What?” Christian yells, looking toward Shelby. “I missed it; it didn’t hit my bat!” he says to her.
“Nah, that caught an edge; you’re out, mate.” Shelby laughs at him.
He drops his bat in a huff and runs toward her. She screams and runs, but it’s no use, Christian catches her quickly and throws her over his shoulder. “Drink break,” he yells, even though we played with drinks in our hands the whole time. Apparently, it’s un-Australian to play backyard cricket without a beer in your hand. It’s what adds to the challenge.
Our yard is decorated in Australian flags, we have meat pies, lamingtons, prawns, and a rack of lamb has been cooking in the oven. We have been doing our best to talk Australian, use Australian words like G’day,Esky, prawns, ute, thongs, and everyone has been throwing the word ‘mate’ into every sentence. Shelby’s parents mailed some Vegemite that we all tried and hated, much to her delight because it meant no one would steal it from the fridge. Shelby even said a few sentences completely ‘Ocker Aussie’ slang, and none of us knew what she said, not just because of the words she used, but from how fast she spoke.
I lean back in my chair and sigh, stretching my legs out in front of me and overlooking the backyard with the boys.
“Stop it,” I look up and see Seth’s eyes on me.
“What?” I ask back.
“Brooding.”
“Whatever, man,” I say back in annoyance, his comment irritating me. Coming from the guy who is in love with a girl from his past and is unable to move on, yet recently learned she is attending this very campus, and hasn’t done anything about it. Plus, I have enough people in my life telling me what to do. I don’t need it from my friends too. That, and I am just irritable lately, twenty-six plus days of no sex will do that. Add losingRachel, the championship, and the guilt from all of it—and yeah, I'll admit, I’m not a bundle of joy lately. I’m a miserable sack of shit, but just leave me to wallow in my misery…I deserve it, relish it even.
“You just seem a bit miserable lately,” Walsh adds.
Yes, I have been, and I know it, but just let me drown myself in pity for a little bit longer. “Thanks for pointing that out, mate,” I say, throwing back my beer.
“Maybe you should go talk to her,” Travis adds from the chair beside me.
“Maybe my friends should just stay out of my business,” I growl out. They don’t deserve it, but I can’t help it, I’m annoyed and extremely frustrated.
“Geez, man, calm down,” Christian says as he turns the sausages.
“Aww, thanks, man, nothing calms me down more than someone telling me to calm down. Great advice, Cap.”
“We’re just saying…”
“Fucking stop,” I cut him off and stand in annoyance, the white deck chair falls back behind me. “Just leave me be. Fuck,” I say, internally raging as I stride into the kitchen.
