“Now it sounds like you’re quoting to me from the last fortune cookie you got. No, I’m serious—I’d really like some sort of explanation as to why the fuck the guy who swears off sex is now the guy who is not only getting laid, but is actually in a relationship. And you’re winning races! How is all this possible? Granted, it was the one race that I didn’t go to, so I’m sure I would’ve beaten you if I’d been there, but ....” He looked at me with a mix of awe and envy. “I mean, really, it’s like you’re having the best year of your life or something. The best summer, anyway.”
“It hasn’t been bad.”
“No shit! You’ve even won a race. Are we still going up to the race this weekend?”
“Yeah. I think it’ll probably be my last one, though.”
“Really? If my summer was going as well as yours was, I’d go all out and do as many races as I could. You should probably start playing the lottery, too.” He tipped the package of energy chews into his mouth and then, once the last one was gone, crumpled the wrapper and stuffed it into the back pocket of his jersey. “I am happy for you, though. Now all you need to do is find a girl for me.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said. Maybe I could ask Chloe if she had any ideas. Tara might be a possibility, and after dealing with someone like that guy Michael, Todd would probably seem like the perfect gentleman.
“Good. Come on, let’s get going or my legs are going to cramp up. I want to get at least another 10 miles in; I may not win this weekend, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to let you beat me.”
*****
I’d left my phone in the truck while Todd and I were riding, so when I got back, I saw that Chloe had called, and then sent a text.
Give me a call when you can, was all it said.
I loaded the bike up and said bye to Todd, and then called her as I was driving back to the house.
“Are you at home?” she asked. “I was thinking of stopping by. If you are. If you aren’t, it’s okay, I can just—”
“Hey,” I said. I wouldn’t have interrupted her except she sounded a little frazzled. “I’m not home yet, but I should be soon. Feel free to head over, and if you beat me there, I won’t be far behind. Everything okay?”
“Oh, sure,” she said, in a tone that indicated maybe everything wasn’t actually okay. “I’ll just ... I’ll just talk to you when I see you. Okay, bye.”
She hung up before I could say anything else, leaving me to wonder what exactly was going on.
But it looked like I’d find out soon enough, because she was just pulling in when I got there.
“Good timing,” I said. “So, what is it you wanted to talk about?”
“Well, my parents basically gave me the ultimatum yesterday,” she said. “They told me to either stop seeing you or get out of their house.”
“Whoa, wait—they kicked you out? This just happened?”
“They wouldn’t say I was kicked out; they’d say I made my choice. But yeah. They kicked me out.” She had a perplexed look on her face, similar to the one Todd had worn earlier.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” What a bunch of dickheads. Guess I hadn’t made the good first impression that I’d been hoping for. “Should we break up?”
That at least got a smile from her. “No! We are definitely not breaking up. They’re not allowed to just tell me what I should do anymore. And if that means I don’t get to stay with them, then so be it.”
I had to smile at the indignation in her tone. “I am sorry, though. I don’t want to be causing all this conflict.”
She sighed. “I don’t think it matters. If it wasn’t you, it would’ve been something else. I mean, it was kind of already happening, with art school. So, I’m staying at Tara’s for now.”
“Yeah? I was thinking about maybe introducing her to my buddy Todd. He was asking me if I had anyone in mind today. But we don’t have to talk about that now. So, you’re staying at her place? She seems like she’d be a good host.”
“Oh, she is. Her mom’s great, too.”
“You can always stay with me, if you want.” Those words slipped out before I’d really even had time to think about it; I’d never had anyone stay over for longer than my usual one-night stands. But I wasn’t about to admit that, or retract my offer—in part, I realized, because I actually hoped Chloe would say “yes.”
“Really?” she asked. “You’re not just saying that to be nice?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m not just saying that to be nice. I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t mean it. If you’re happy staying with Tara, though, I understand; it’s not going to hurt my feelings if you don’t want to stay over.”
“Her parents’ house is so big I basically have my own wing. But ...” She looked at me, the perplexed look giving way to a grin. “I wouldn’t mind staying with you some of the time, either. I’m sure Tara would understand. She’d be all for it, I bet.”