“What about her?” I say before I think about the fact that we’re supposed to be in a relationship. “I mean, she and I haven’t gotten to that stage in the relationship yet where we’re talking about where we’re going to end up.”
“Even though you’ve been dating for a year? Now, now, Luke, I hope you’re not just wasting her time.”
“No, I would never do that to Mia.”
“So, why are you calling? Is everything good?”
“I just … it’s actually about Mia.”
“What’s going on? Do you want to meet for coffee or?—”
“No, I’m actually headed down to the shoreline to meet up with her and talk, but I think she’s annoyed with me, and I just don’t know how to address the situation.”
“Why is she annoyed with you?”
“I’m not really sure,” I lie because there are three reasons in my mind why she could be upset.
One, she could be upset because we’d been extremely physical. Two, she could be upset because I hadn’t gone to the beach with her, which I thought was unlikely because we went swimming in the ocean all the time. Or three, she was just cranky because she was worried about something else. Maybe she was still heartbroken over Rex. The thought makes me distraught.
“Luke, you don’t have any clue?”
I realize then that my grandma can’t help me because there’s not much information I can share with her. No one can help me unless I’mfully honest with them, and the only people I can be fully honest with are Mia’s friends, and they are her friends first and foremost.
“Actually, I think it’s probably just a stupid minor argument. I think I see her. I have to go.”
I hang up and just stand there in the grainy white sand. I don’t know what to do. I can head down to the water and search for Mia or just leave it until later. When I spy the tiki torches outside of Cocktails & Chaos, I think about Cal and his own situation. He knows this relationship is fake. He is also in a similar situation with Silvie. Maybe he’ll have some advice for me. I hurry down toward the bar and walk past the palm fronds that decorate the front pole, along with several colorful flags.
“Hey there, Luke. You want a beer?” Cal says as I enter and make my way to him.
It’s still quite early, so the tourists haven’t flooded the place yet. I notice two older men playing darts toward the back and a single lady sitting at the bar, reading a book. I wonder if it’s a romance. I know if Mia were here, she’d ask the lady what she was reading.
“No thanks. Actually, I was wondering if you had five minutes so we could have a quick chat.”
“Sure. We’re not very busy right now. What’s going on?” He heads toward the front with a rag towel and starts drying the stack of cups.
“I’m kind of flustered and frustrated about this situation with Mia.” I lower my voice and look around. I definitely don’t want anyone to hear me.
“Oh no. Is the fake dating situation not going well?”
“It’s not going poorly. I just think we’ve crossed a couple of lines that maybe we shouldn’t have, and I think maybe she’s mad about it. I don’t know. She’s just been really grumpy today, and I’m trying to navigate that without having her blow up at me.”
“You think it’s got to do with the kiss from last night?”
“That’s the least of it, dude. We’ve done a bit more than kiss, Cal.”
“I got you,” he says, nodding, his eyes twinkling as he pours me a beer and sets it in front of me. “Just in case you need it. I understand how complicated these fake relationships can be.” He grimaces. “These women know how to drive us crazy.”
“I’m guessing you and Silvie have also crossed a couple of lines?”
“I will not say if I’ve sampled the goods or not.” He winks. “Luke, I’m a gentleman.”
“I’m a gentleman as well. How’s it going with you and Silvie though? Is it super complicated?” I want to hear it’s not just me who is going out of his mind.
“Aren’t these things always super complicated?” He grabs a bottle of whiskey. “You want a shot?”
“Sure, thanks.” I nod.
At the end of the day, I’m starting to realize drinking with him may not have been my finest decision. Nor sharing the same room. Nor flirting. Nor touching. Nor kissing. Nor getting to know each other intimately.
