“Definitely more than a friend.”
“Holy fuck.” His voice jumps in excitement. “Like this guy is real and everything?”
“Yes.” I roll my eyes and let out an annoyed sounding laugh. “He’s very real. His name’s Henry.”
“Well, damn. In that case stay right where you are and send lots of pictures.”
My laughter is light this time, and I pull into my driveway then shut off my car. “I plan to, and I’ll pass on the picture sending.”
“Oh, come on. I at least need proof you’re not bullshitting me just to get me off your back.”
“And you’ll get proof when you meet him someday.” Shit, I can’t believe how easy those words come out. I want that too. For him to meet the other important people in my life. “Other” because he’s important too.
“And will this meet up be soon? You can always bring him to Cousin Mark’s New Year’. party.”
“We’ll see,” I press my back to my seat. “Look, don’t say anything to Mom and Dad yet.”
“Fine, but you better tell them soon because they’re starting to worry about you again.”
“When don’t they? They could always call me.”
“They want to, but you haven’t exactly made it easy by going so long ignoring their calls.”
Pinching the bridge above my nose, I sigh. “Yeah, I haven’t been ready to face them yet. Especially after Rory wrote them that email.”
“Yeah, fuck him. I saw him taking groceries into the house the other day. He smiled and waved at me. I ignored him and kept walking.”
I tense in my seat. “Don’t . . . don’t do that. What happened wasn’t his fault. I’m the one who caused all these problems for myself.” For me and everyone else in my life.
“You weren’t you. You went through a lot that nobody else can possibly understand, but we all want to try. We want to be here for you as much as you’ll let us. We love you.”
“I know.” My eyes water. “I love y’all too. I’ll try to be there this New Year.”
“Good. And don’t forget to bring Henry with you. Oh, and I guess the pig can come too.”
I breathe out a laugh, slowly opening my door. “Okay, I’ll talk to you later, and I really am okay. I promise.” And that’s mostly the truth. Minus all the sleep killing. It’s been days since the last one, and I hope it stays that way. I have to see if spending my nights with Henry is the reason for that. I have to see if I can be the man everyone can trust to be around again. I have to find that man because Henry needs every best version of me he can get. He deserves the best of everything.
“Okay, I have to get to Simon’s baseball game anyway. Love you, fuck face, and you can call me too sometimes.”
I smile. “I will. Have fun at the game and tell everyone I love and miss them.”
“Will do. Tell Henry I’m looking forward to meeting my future brother-in-law.”
I chuckle. “Getting a little too ahead of yourself now. Hasta pronto.”
“You better. Adiós, pendejo.”
I hang up the phone and step onto the sidewalk, and as I’m getting closer to my front door, I stop dead in my tracks when I notice the broken plant pot. My eyes scan the porch, hackles rising when I see the door busted open. The fuck. I march forward, taking precautions as I enter the house. I turn on the living room light and most of the furniture is flipped over. My glass coffee table is shattered, and my books are ripped apart on the ground.
I reach for my phone again and call the cops to report a break in as I inspect the other rooms. My pillows are torn, cotton spilling out of them and feathers flying everywhere from my shredded down comforter.
“Sir?” The operator says loudly on the phone. “When did you first notice your house this way?”
“About five minutes ago. I’ve been staying somewhere else the last two days.”
“And was anything taken?”
I look through my tossed drawers and shake my head. “Not that I can see. Looks like someone forced their way in only to destroy the place, and I don’t know why.”
