“We can process Stone as long as you want,” Ayla says as she stands. “But we’re going to do it at the studio.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I really do just stare at the wall the second I get there. I wasn’t exaggerating.”
“Then stare at the wall,” Milo says with a big smile. “Horatio, Rafael, and Tonya are all free today. They’ll be there in an hour. Worst case scenario, you can just tell us what to do, and we’ll do it for you.”
I blink as I look between them, standing proudly on either side of the bed. Sometimes, it seems like I won the lottery, finding friends like I have.
It’s enough to make me start crying all over again.
“Prolonged silence,” Ayla says to Milo. “Let’s take it as a yes and move quick before he changes his mind.”
“Shower time,” Milo says brightly. “I’ll make lunch while you’re getting ready.”
Although I still want to sink into the mattress and moan about missing Stone, I grab the little energy I have and use it to haul my legs over the side of the bed.
“Yay!” Ayla cheers. “Movement!”
I look up and glance between both of them. “Thanks,” I say weakly. “I appreciate it.” When my eyes land back on Milo’s, I’m hit by a jolt of guilt. “And sorry again for lying to you.”
Milo smiles sadly. “Just promise me one thing, and I’ll forgive you.”
“What’s that?”
He points to my phone, sitting on top of the blanket. “Text Stone. I can’t be happy in my relationship knowing you’re miserable in yours.”
Once they both head downstairs, I take my phone and stare at the blank screen. All the anxieties come creeping back, inching up my skin.
Stone’s seen how weak I am. He knows that we can’t work together just the same as I know it. It’s a ridiculous fantasy, pretending it could be different.
But as I pull up our text message history, I remember that I’ve always been a sucker for a ridiculous fantasy.
With a gulp of air to steady myself, I type out the message.Hey. Thinking of you.
Short and simple. I go to toss the phone back down and head to the shower, but I’m surprised when there’s an immediate response.
Hey. How’s it going?
I stare at the message, and an overwhelming mixture of hope and fear surges through me. My mouth feels dry, and my hands are shaky, but just these few words from Stone make my heart pound.
I’m okay. Heading to the studio with some friends. How’s your hand?
About the same.Anything I can help you with?
I want to tell him yes. Fuck yes. There are a million things he can help me with, starting with driving over here, crawling into bed, and kissing my face until everything feels good again.
It used to be that everything was okay when Stone was with me. For a fleeting second, I believe that can be true again.
Instead, though, I remind myself that the deadline is approaching. My friends are all coming in to help, and I need to approach my problems one a time. For now, I can just reach out, and hopefully, he won’t give up on me.
Hopefully, he won’t feel as alone as I’ve felt.
Good for now, I answer.Thanks for the offer.
It takes him a minute to answer, and when he does, the answer is so short I can’t even read into it.Sure, no problem.
I remember Milo’s advice, though, and the encouragement Ayla gave me. It’s hard to risk my heart, but if things go wrong, there are people who love me waiting to help put the pieces back together.
I look down at my bicep. The cat tattoo is there, still unfinished, but it reminds me of the promise I made myself.
