I quietly leave the socks right in front of his door, and ring his bell. I dash off before he gets to the door. Yes, I’m a coward.
I’m watching a lame romantic comedy on Netflix and eating some stale popcorn when my phone rings — it’s Oscar.
My heart bounces against my ribcage as I answer. “Hello.”
There’s a brief pause before he says, “Thanks for the socks.”
It feels so good to hear his voice. “I thought you’d like them.”
“Well, I dig ice cream, and I dig socks, so what’s not to like.”
I laugh. “Who says dig anymore.”
“Me,” he says. “I dig things.”
I laugh again. It’s hard to believe that about five minutes ago, I wanted to hide under my bedspread and stay there for the rest of my days.
“I dig coffee. I dig music. I dig boxing. I dig my cat,” he goes on. “I dig you.”
I smile. “I dig you too, Oscar.”
“I hate it when we fight. I missed you, Kayla.”
My heart swells. “I missed you too.”
“So what’s new?” he asks.
I taste the bile rise in my throat just at the thought of Matt Moore. Oscar is not going to believe this.
“Well, I had dinner with my mom and Mark on Friday, and I finally met Mark’s son.”
“Uh-huh, what’s he like? As stiff as his dad?” he jokes.
“Stiffer,” I say, not a single whisper of humor in my tone.
“Jerk-off?”
“Yep… you—” a crack in my voice catches me by surprise, and my throat tightens. I can’t speak another word.
“What is it, Kayla?” Oscar asks, and I can hear that familiar concern in his voice. He’s always worried about me, looking out for his girl. He’s like the dad I never had.
I fall into sobs. It doesn’t take much when I think about my youth, especially when Oscar’s soothing voice beckons me to let it all out.
“What happened?” he asks. Now, he’s really getting worried.
“You… you’ll never believe this,” I finally manage to speak. “Mark’s son is Matt. Matt Moore.”
A long silence fills the line, and finally… “No fucking way,” Oscar says. “The bully who made your life hell?”
I wipe my cheek with the sleeve of my sweater. “The very one.”
“What the… your mom can’t marry his dad.”
I shake my head. “My mom is finally happy, Oscar. Mark seems nice enough. He seems to really like her. I don’t want to ruin it for her. I’ll probably never have to see Matt after the wedding. My mom said that she’ll be careful to keep me away from him.”
Oscar has no words.
Neither do I.
