I make it to class just as the professor starts his lecture. Business ethics is not a hard class, but it’s not one that is particularly engaging either. It’s a means to an end, which is earning my bachelor’s degree in accounting. I’m taking notes and trying like hell not to fall asleep when my phone vibrates in my purse at my feet. Slipping it out of my purse, I see a text message from Chloe. I don’t bother reading it, needing to focus extra hard on the class; instead, I toss my phone back in my purse. I only have twenty minutes of this class left, and if I reply, I’m sure to miss that last part of this lecture. Just my luck that’s what we’ll be tested over.
I’m packing up my bag when my phone vibrates with a call. I don’t even bother looking; I know it’s Chloe. “Hey, you’re persistent this morning.”
“So, I met up with Drew last night.”
“I was there, remember?” I can already tell where this call is going. She wants me to take Easton up on his offer.
“I asked him what Easton’s deal was.”
“You called me as soon as my class was over, the exact minute to tell me you decided to be nosey and inquire about your booty call’s friend?” I’m being a sassy bitch, but she knows why I can’t do this.
She laughs. “You’re damn right I did. Anyway, Drew says he’s into you.”
“How can he be ‘into me’? He doesn’t even know me.”
“You know what I mean. He really wants to get to know you. Drew says he’s a good guy.”
“Right, said the serial killer’s best friend.”
“Aren’t we a little testy today?” she teases.
I release a heavy breath. “I’m sorry. I’m exhausted. I got maybe a couple hours of sleep last night at best.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, you know the house was quiet and I was just… thinking.”
“Uh huh. Thinking about a tall, dark-haired, baseball-playing drink of water, were you?”
“I admit he’s easy on the eyes, but the mature, responsible version of me knows that this entire situation has bad idea written all over it. You know I have so much going on in my life. I can’t get caught up in him. I don’t have time for heartbreak.” I’m well aware my words are on a constant repeating loop with all the reasons why I can’t allow myself to be involved with not just Easton, but anyone. My hope is that if I say it enough, people will get the message loud and clear and believe it. Maybe if I say it aloud enough, I’ll even start to believe it. I would love to throw caution to the wind and see where things go. That’s just not an option for me at this point in my life.
“It’s not your heart I’m trying to revive. It’s the girly bits. If you don’t dust the cobwebs off soon, I’m afraid you’ll never find it.”
“Ha ha, smartass. Was there another reason for your call?”
“Wanna get lunch?” she asks, not missing a beat.
“I told Mom I would stop by. Speaking of, she’s beeping me now. Hold on a sec.” I pull the phone away and click the Accept Call button on the screen. “Hey, Mom, I’m headed that way.”
“That’s why I’m calling. We decided to go to Jackie’s.” Jackie’s my aunt, Mom’s older sister. “We’re not there. Take a nap, enjoy a couple of hours of free time before work.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’ll see you i
n the morning.”
“Okay, I’ll call before my shift.”
“Bye now,” she says, ending the call.
“You there?” I ask Chloe.
“Yeah, everything good?”
“They decided to go to Aunt Jackie’s so I have the afternoon free. I’m at work at four.”
“I’m on tonight too,” Chloe tells me.