“Thanks, Zane,” she says, her voice wavering slightly.
“You sure you’re ok?” I ask again.
A pause.
“I will be.”
That’s Lisa. Always strong. Always optimistic.
Every game I’ve ever played, she believed I was going to win even when the odds said otherwise.
For an annoying little sister, she’s pretty great.
“Text me when you get to the airport,” I say. “If I can’t pick you up, I’ll send someone.”
“I will. I’ll be there on Friday. I’ll send you the details later.”
We hang up, but her voice lingers in my head.
I’m worried about her.
And if I’m being honest, a little relieved she’s coming back. It’ll be easier to look out for her when she’s here.
When I pull into my building’s parking lot, I spot Julian stepping out of a car I don’t recognize.
“Speak of the devil,” I mutter, rolling down my window.
Julian looks up, surprised, just as the car pulls away.
“Leo was just asking about you,” I add.
“Zane! What’s up?” he says, glancing over his shoulder at the disappearing car.
“I’m back from a game. Did you do something fun?” I ask, watching him closely. There’s something off; he seems distracted. Almost… nervous.
“Something like that,” he replies with a shrug.
After I park, we head toward the elevator. Julian lives two floors below me. We’d been friends for over a year before realizing we were basically neighbors. We only figured it out after sharing an Uber home from Blake’s housewarming party. Julian thought I was trying to go home with him. I was too drunk to understand what was happening.
“You doing alright?” I ask as we step inside.
“All good. Just busy with work,” he says, offering a quick smile.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
He nods politely.
As if I have any idea what he actually does for a living.
Julian has always been a little mysterious like that.
“See you soon,” he says, quieter now, stepping off the elevator a floor early.
He moves quickly down the hallway.
I frown slightly.
Why is everyone acting strange tonight?
