Shaking my head, I laugh at his cringe-worthy comment.
Tristan, on the other hand, rolls his eyes, appearing bored by Eric’s antics. Well, tough luck, buddy. I need you out of my fucking hair and no better way to get you out than with Eric Kennedy.
***
I’ve been staring at my screen for a good three hours. My nerves are taking over—tomorrow’s meeting is make-or-break time. The publisher has agreed to review my half-finished manuscript. I doubt myself, and my confidence is at its lowest. I think about pulling the plug, but this is my dream. I need to clear my mind. Nothing good will come of me sitting here and worrying about something I have absolutely no control over.
“So, I don’t know what time I’ll be home,” Tristan pipes up.
“Okay, I’m not your dad, Tristan. Plus, you’re twenty-one. Go get laid tonight. Might do you some good.”
“Yeah, so Eric texted me to go hang out. Do I look okay?”
I turn to face him. He’s wearing ripped jeans and a Man of Steel shirt. It appears he has a vast collection of DC Comic shirts.
“Eric will crucify you. But hey, he knows you’re straight, so he’ll probably go easy on you.”
There’s a cheerful knock on the door, and I open it to find a very dressed-up Eric. Oh shit. Tristan has disappeared to the bathroom to hopefully rectify his attire.
“Hi, Batman, is Robin here?” He chuckles.
“Very funny. Tristan is in the bathroom, he’ll be out in a minute.”
Eric walks in and sits on the couch, eyeing the place and scowling, though he’s unaware of his facial expressions. “Quite a small apartment?”
“Yes, it is,” I answer flatly.
“So, listen, before Tristan comes out, I need to tell you I told Charlie.”
I quickly meet his eyes, my adrenaline spiking at the sound of her name. Fuck, just act calm. This might not be so bad.
“How is Charlie?”
“She’s great. Actually, she is more than great. Look, she asked if you are okay.”
She asked about me? My confidence is slowly rising, and with caution, I hold back the smile willing to spread across my entire face. Eric is intuitive, and the last thing I need is for him to interrogate me.
“Listen, Julian… she doesn’t have a problem with me talking to you. But Lex, well—”
“If it’s going to cause trouble…” Act like the nice guy, Julian. You know how to put on a great act.
“No, I can handle Lex. Just—” Tristan walks into the room and interrupts the conversation.
“Oh, dear Armani Gods. May you grant me the patience I need to fix what clearly needs to be changed.” Eric shakes his head as Tristan shrugs him off.
They say goodbye and close the door behind them before Eric can finish his sentence about Lex.
As soon as they’re gone, I jump on the couch.
She asked if I was okay.
That means she’s thinking about me.
She cares about me.
Does she still love me?
I have to find out for myself.