Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

Close to three hours later, I sit on my bed so bored out of my brains that I think I might just stub my toe.

You know? For fun.

Tedwood sleeps curled in a ball on my side of the bed, and as I stroke his feather-soft fur, I stare at my phone.

Just call him.

No. He’ll think I’m needy.

Send him a text.

Then he’ll think I’m sending mixed messages.

Tell him you need to talk to Ceecee.

I smile. I do want to speak to Ceecee. I want to know what she did over the weekend. I want to ask her about her exercises and tell her I hope she’s doing better. God. Is it pathetic for one for your best friends to be thirteen?

Reaching next to me, I grip my pillow, hold it to my chest, and throw myself back onto the bed. As soon as my back hits the mattress, my phone chimes. I reach over and check the display.

Max calling.

Happiness flows through me and I answer with, “Hey. I was just thinking about you.”

I’m surprised when Ceecee giggles. “Uh…it’s me.”

The sound of her giggle makes my heart sing. “Well, I was thinking about you too, young grasshopper. How was breakfast?”

She makes a noise. “It was okay. Because you couldn’t come, we just stayed at Grandma’s.” She asks, “Are you feeling better?”

I hug my pillow and nod, even though she can’t see it. “Sure am, honey pie. Turns out, all I needed was a nap.” Then I beat around the bush. “What are you guys doing now?”

She states, “Coming over.”

I sit up and blink. “Coming over where?”

She giggles again. “To your apartment.”

A beaming smile crosses my face. “Really?”

I hear the smile in her voice. “Well, Daddy asked me to check if that was okay. He said we won’t stay long. I just wanted to bring you some chicken soup, because you weren’t feeling well.”

I’m surprised as emotion flows through me, clogging my throat. “You made me soup?”

She suddenly turns shy, mumbling, “Yeah, but Grandma helped.” She pauses a moment, then asks quietly, “Is that okay?”

I bark out a laugh. “Yes, it’s okay! Just tell your dad to pick up some ice cream and popcorn. We’ll watch a movie.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.” I decide to go full truths. “Honey, I’m so glad you called. I was bored out of my brains.”

I hear the happiness leak out of her as she rushes out, “Okay! We’ll see you soon! Bye!”

She hangs up in a hurry and I laugh as I throw my cell down on my bed. I turn to Tedwood and he peeks open one eye. I ask him, “You feel like a cupcake?” I stand and walk into the kitchen, yelling back at him, “I feel like a cupcake.”

Twenty minutes later, they arrive, but Max doesn’t bother knocking on the door. He uses his key. And I like that in a way that most people would find weird. Ceecee wheels herself in first, holding a dishtowel-covered Tupperware container. She smiles up at me. “Careful, it’s hot.”

Dressed in black yoga pants, a hoodie, and white socks, I lean down and hug her tightly. As I pull away, I kiss her cheek and utter, “Thank you so much, C. I’m starved.” I take the container and place it on the counter as I watch Max struggle with two full grocery bags as he walks into my kitchen.