She can get intense about things that matter to her, but it comes from a good place, and she’d do anything for our family. Too bad her excitement over my dating life won’t last. I can already picture her disappointment when Birdie ends things. We haven’t even started this pretend relationship, and I’m already dreading that part.
Confessions In The Condom Aisle
Walker cleaned my kitchen before he left, and once he was gone, the silence was deafening. I’m used to being on my own, but getting a glimpse of what it might be like to share my space with another person made the emptiness hit harder than usual. It had me second-guessing if I’d made the right decision. Until now, I haven’t known anything other than being single. What happens when I finally experience what it’s like on the other side, only to lose it when this charade ends? There’s a real possibility that no one else would willingly step into the mess that is my life.
At least with Walker, I can hold on to pieces of the truth. A real relationship would put everything out in the open, exposing all my flaws and fears. For now, I’m choosing to live in themoment, taking in everything Walker is willing to teach me and dealing with the consequences later.
After feeding the animals, I’m anxious to get out of the house but not ready for Earl’s barrage of questions, so I set off toward my parents’ across town. It’s a thirty-minute walk if I move fast enough to avoid any passersby who might try to strike up a conversation.
To pass the time, I muster the courage to message the girls back.
Backroads & Bad Decisions Group Chat
Birdie: Sorry for the short reply earlier. Walker made breakfast.
My thumb hovers over send, wincing when I press it. My text doesn’t outright say he stayed over, but it’s enough to gauge their reaction.
Charlie: Oh. My. God. I was right. You’re totally fucking him.
Briar: Will you please refrain from referencing my brother and fucking in the same sentence?
Wren: Does this mean you’re together?
Birdie: It does.
There’s no turning back now.
Charlie: Did I mention I was right??
Briar: Repeatedly.
Wren: Birdie, I have to know what happened last night.
Charlie: Yes. We need all the details.
Briar: No. We really don’t.
Birdie: Walker and I haven’t slept together yet.
That’s the truth.
Charlie: You’re telling me Walker, Mr. Playboy Extraordinaire… what? Just crashed in your bed?
Birdie: Actually, he slept on the floor. I had too much to drink, and he wanted to keep an eye on me.
I’m glad we agreed to keep our story as close to reality as possible. It makes it easier to keep track of the details.
Wren: That’s so sweet.
Briar: It’s reassuring that my brother’s not a total caveman.
Birdie: You’re not mad?
Briar: At you? Never. Walker, on the other hand, is on thin ice. If he hurts you, he’s a dead man.
After my chat with the girls, I’m feeling a lot better about my situation—at least the part where they seem to have accepted the story that Walker and I are together and are actually okay with it.
I’m out of breath by the time I reach my parents’ house. It sits at the end of the block, surrounded by large trees in the front yard and a tall fence enclosing the ten acres at the back.
