Cool. With Di? You guys must like it a lot. :( Missed you guys here though.
It feels like a normal thing to say right? Small talk between old friends. But it also feels ridiculously awkward because we haven’t spoken a word in so long that small talk isn’t normal. I furrow my brow as I look at the message. Should I have said ‘you guys’? She knows I’m referring to Diana, right? Does she think I want Diana again?
Heard Di‘s got a BF. That’s great!
There. That helps, right?
There are a few typing bubbles. Then nothing. Then Typing bubbles. Nothing. Typing bubbles.
I am coming to Los Angeles.
What? I’m immediately excited but also equally apprehensive.
Cool! Let’s get together. Do you need a place to stay?
Yes. That would be good. Thanks.
Holy shit. I just went from not knowing if I would ever see Mallory again to inviting her to stay with me. Wait… for how long? And why? Why does she suddenly want to see me, but her texts are almost cold and distant like she doesn’t actually want to see me.
Everything alright?
Bubbles. Nothing. Bubbles. Nothing. Bubbles. Nothing. Bubbles.
I’m fine. I have a flight booked for Thursday.
Shit. That’s in forty-eight hours.
I have a home game that night and leave the next day for a road trip.
Bubbles. Nothing. Bubbles. Nothing.
“Dude! More family texts or something good?” Crew asks, grinning. “You making plans for later? What’s her name? Christine again or you finally gonna score with that neighbor of yours?”
“An old friend is coming to visit,” I mutter and turn my back to the boys to continue the conversation with Mallory in private.
I have to come Thursday. And I have to see you.
My stomach lurches and drops, like a kid on a swing who jumps off on the upswing.
K. Will make it work. Something wrong?
See you Thursday. Thanks.
Mallory… can you call me? Let’s talk.
Can’t. Will talk Thursday.
“Fuck this,” I mutter and I immediately hit the call button on my WhatsApp. The phone goes straight to voicemail without even ringing. She’s turned it off.
That’s fucking weird. What person under the age of thirty ever turns off their phone? I get an uneasy feeling in my gut as I turn back to the guys. Nash is eyeing me thoughtfully. “You try one of my brother’s taste bud-destroying wings or something? You’re making a face.”
“Did your booty call deny you?” Crew jokes.
“Nah that was an old friend who is coming to visit,” I explain, shoving my phone into my pocket. “But she was weird about it. And we didn’t exactly leave things on great terms the last time we saw each other.”
“Wait. This is a female friend?” Crew’s eyebrows lift. “With benefits?”
“Does Garrison have any other kind of female friends?” Collingwood quips and the Westwood twins snicker.
