He looks back at us with a smirk. He knew exactly what he was doing, and he’s pleased with himself, but the grin drops in the next second and he points between Bates and me. “Don’t fuck this up for us. We’ve been family forever. This is our chance to keep it that way, to be happy.” He’s eyeballing me and our best friend like our roles have somehow become reversed and he’s the more mature one. “Bring us some snacks in a few minutes.” With those parting words, he jogs after Waylynn, leaving us alone.
“That’s fucking weird.” Bates snorts.
“No doubt,” I agree.
“So how mad are you?” he says in the next breath, as if he’s been waiting to ask.
“I’m not mad,” I tell him truthfully, and that should tell me something, but I don’t know what yet.
“You’re not stoked. Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.” He backs away a step.
“I’m surprised you’d be down for it at all. You never seemed interested.”
He lifts one shoulder in a half shrug. “I’m not sure I took you seriously.”
I can kind of understand that, especially when I never thought I would find someone like Waylynn, someone whom I actually wanted and could feel something for. It was just the only solution I could come up with so I didn’t lose the only family I had left, but it brought me here and I’m fucking grateful.
“I’m serious about her, about this. She’s it for me…and Oz too, I think.”
“I know. I realized something was different that first day. I’m happy it didn’t put a wedge between you two, and I thought… Shit, I don’t know, I don’t want to lose you guys either. You’re like my brothers, and she’s…” He doesn’t say anything else, but he doesn’t really have to. I’ve felt Waylynn’s pull since the first time she bumped into me.
“She knows what we want. I’ve been honest with her, and she’s receptive, but you should let her get to know you a little. I can’t have her running for the hills.” It’s as close as I can get to possibly agreeing to this. I’m actually concerned with how comfortable I am with the idea.
“Yo! Bring some snacks,” Oz yells from the other room, and Bates chuckles, breaking the thick tension.
I head over to the pantry to get some chips or something, and Bates follows me. “I can tell you love her, Memphis.” His words are as effective as putting a vise around my chest. Everything feels too goddamned tight. “I won’t fuck this up for you guys. If it doesn’t work, I won’t cause a problem.”
I don’t respond because I’m not sure I would even be able to speak. I know she’s important to me, but love? He said it so casually, like it’s something I should already be acknowledging, and it’s fucking with my head.
He ends up picking up a bag of pretzels and chips while I stand here, trying to catch my breath. If he notices I’m freaking out, he doesn’t say anything about it. Instead, I end up following him to the living room by the dim light of his phone, where I spot Waylynn on the couch with her legs in Oswald’s lap.
Bates pauses to hand over the bag of chips to Oz, and I slip past him to take the remaining seat on Waylynn’s other side. She cuddles against me when I lift up my arm and lay it on the back of the couch. My lips dip down to the top of her head, and I realize Bates was right—I do love her.
IN THE MIDDLE
Waylynn
Oswald actslike it’s completely normal for him to say goodnight as we leave Bates in the room next to mine, while he and Memphis walk with me toward my bedroom. I’m not feeling nearly as sure of myself. In fact, I feel like Bates must think it’s pretty strange, but he doesn’t allude to that.
“I have to leave early for work. Want me to drop you off at training?”
“How early?” Oswald keeps shuffling to my room.
“I need to be at the shop by seven, so six-thirty. I get to sleep in a little since I don’t have to deal with traffic.”
“That works.” Oswald waves over the back of his head.
I stop at my dresser and dig around for a fresh pair of panties and some sleep shorts. I haven’t showered in two days now, and I’m feeling a little funky, plus it gives me something to do so I can pretend not to notice as Memphis strips off his shirt and pants until he’s only in a pair of boxers.
I was tired when we were downstairs, but now I feel wide awake as I wait for my turn in the bathroom. Oswald exits with his phone in his hand, and his flashlight blinds me for a second. “Sorry about that. Want me to leave it for you?” He leans back, about to place his phone on the counter.
“Sure, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll never mind anything if it’s for you. Hurry up, baby.” He taps my butt as I pass him.
I place my clothes on the counter so I can get a better grip on the handholds of my crutches. Getting around like this sucks. Thank goodness it’s only for two weeks. At least I should be able to score a parking pass, even if it’s only temporary.
Thinking about the parking pass reminds me I need to call my mom back. I avoided talking to her this evening when she called by texting her. I was resting, but that will only last so long.
