Page 67 of The Longest Wait

There was silence for a minute before Sofia gave in.

“He loves the Knicks, for no reason, but we can talk about basketball for hours. When I get into my techy moods”—she pausedwhile Lucy mumbled those moods were the worst—“he actuallylistens and asks questions. Per Lucy’s reaction, you guys know Idon’t get that a lot.”

“I try,” Lucy defended herself. “But a cloud is in the sky, nota computer.”

Sofia rolled her eyes. “When he looks at me, I swear I’m theonly person in the room. He also knows how to challenge me,which is a pain in the ass the majority of the time, but we all knowI would never settle for a yes person. And the sex; it’s the best ofmy life. The things he can do with his mouth—”

Lucy put up a hand. “Stop. I’m all about listening to what isgoing on and can deal with you saying you two have sex. But Irefuse to listen to a play by play.”

Sofia winked at Tess. “I can tell you once the spoilsport leaves.”

Tess bunched up her nose. “No, thank you. I consider him abrother too. Maybe you can write in a journal or something. Eitherway, you told us five reasons you love him.”

“Do you?” Lucy questioned. “Do you love him?”

Sofia’s grimaced while dramatically falling back against thecouch. “Ever since I was eighteen.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Those are my favorite.”

Alex sat down. “I can’t be in Philly and not be with Sofia. Myjob has been hectic, and I finally put in my two-week notice. Mynext move is to travel for a couple weeks and give her the space shesaid she needs. I will come back.”

“To live here still, right?” Lucy seemed like she knew theanswer already.

“My lease is up and I didn’t renew it since it was monthby month.”

Lucy bit her lip and stared at the empty living room. “Pleasedon’t stop visiting me.”

He gave her a hug. “I promise I won’t. I just need to clearmy head.”

Their conversation ended and Lucy didn’t stay long. Once sheleft, he texted Jack to let him know the news so he wasn’t surprised when Lucy got home. He would come back, but he had noidea when.

THE NEXT DAY, there was banging on Alex’s front door. Like akid at Christmas, he ran to answer. After all of his calls and textsto Sofia went unanswered last night, perhaps she preferred to talkit out in person, which was a step in the right direction. When heopened the door, he was disappointed to see it was Lucy.While normally he loved to see his baby sister, when it was her,and not the person he wanted, his hope faded away.

“You’re unhappy to see me? After last night, you should bethankful I’m still speaking to you,” she snapped.

“I know, I know,” Alex said sadly.

“What the hell, Alex! I never realized there was this heavyof a past between you two. I mean, there were moments when Iwondered, but sheesh. You royally—” then she stopped.It was then she noticed all of the packed bags in his living room.“Where are you going?”

SOFIA HEARD THE news of Alex leaving, but had no reaction.Alex was out, trapezing around the world, and she refused to givehis shitty behavior a reaction. Even if it was a response he couldn’tsee, he didn’t deserve it. She blamed the grumpy cat expressionon her face because she was at a soccer game and the games boredher to tears.

“You okay?” Tess was concerned.

“Yes,” she said with vigor. “My only request is that we all keepgoing about our lives without anyone asking me if I’m okay.”

“Got it.”

Sofia turned to pay attention to the game or, at least, pretendshe was. “Make sure Lucy and everyone else knows too. I don’twant everyone asking me.”

Erin Lynne

“Okay.” Tess nodded. “He has been gone for only three days.I worry about you.”

She stared at Tess, giving her a no-nonsense look. “Listen tome. Did Alex break my heart—yes. Am I angry as hell he considered one night of calls and texts enough for me to forgive him—onehundred percent. Will I validate his shitty behavior, in public nonethe less—absolutely not. We talked about it, for three days, andnothing is going to change. I need to have some normalcy. Soplease, if you’re going to worry about me, make it about the factI’m at a soccer game with an empty drink in my hand.”

Tess might not have liked her response, but she didn’t botherSofia anymore, so it was a win. After the game, everyone was doingtheir own thing, which was another win for Sofia. Something hadbeen off, outside of Alex bailing on her.