lot at the airport. What the hell.
I give Nikki one more try.
She answers on the second ring.
“Nik? Don’t hang up, okay?
I can’t believe you’re actually
there.” That she actually picked up.
What do you want, Hunter?
Clipped. Guess she hasn’t quite
forgiven me. Then, in the back-
ground, I hear another voice. Male.
And not on the television. The alien
vine bursts to life, snakes its way
through me. I start to blow. Think
better of it. “Oh. Sorry. Didn’t know
you had company. I just … uh …
wanted you to know how truly sorry
I am. Thanks for taking my call.”
I hang up, choking back a wad
of emotions. Hurt. Surprise.
Fury. Embarrassment. Now
there’s a weird one. Why am I
embarrassed? And not for her.
For me. How could she replace
me? Did she replace me? What
is she doing with that guy? Who
is he? Where did she hook up
with him? And for what reason?
Companionship? Sex? Love?
No. Not that. I can deal with
the other two, but no way could