I hang up on her laughing and sit on the bathroom floor for another minute listening to the shower run. My phone buzzes in my hand.
Zach
I had a really good time tonight
Me
me too :)
Zach
even the getting kicked out part
I turn off the shower, open the bathroom door, and almost walk directly into my dad.
“Why is the shower running if you’re not in it?” he asks.
“I was testing the water temperature.”
“For twenty minutes?”
He gives me the look—the Jack Anderson look, the one that says I know you’re full of shit but I’m choosing not to pursue this—before walking away. I go to my room and close the door and lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling and think about tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that.
My phone buzzes again.
Kara
I’m still thinking about the jeans thing
like physically HOW
I put my phone face-down and go to sleep smiling.
7
ZACH
It’s beentwelve hours and I already miss her.
Rodriguez is asleep next to me on the plane with his mouth open, snoring. I should be sleeping too. Road trips mean early call times and video sessions. But I’m staring at my phone.
Me
We just took off
Mackie
safe flight
tell Rodriguez I said hi
Me
Absolutely not
Mackie
why not?
