Our Way

I have to get my head around this and navigate my next move. Elliot’s advice keeps going around and around in my head on repeat. Was he right?

Can I imagine myself touching another woman like I want to touch Eliza?

I scroll through my phone until I get to the name Stephanie. My thumb hovers over her name.

What would I even say to her?

Hi, I don’t really want anything to do with you but you’re smoking hot and I know you could turn me on and get the job done. Do you mind if I use your body to find out if I like sex with a woman?

I close my eyes in disgust and throw my phone onto the floor.

Fuck this.

I stare at the wall for a while longer. I wonder what my girl is doing now. This is our second night apart in two years.

I blow out a deep breath and throw the tennis ball at the wall. It bounces and flies back into my hands.

I do it again.

It’s going to be a long night.

8

Eliza

It’s just gone 5:00 p.m., and I pack up my desk. My phone beeps with a text.

It’s from Samuel.

Hope you’re feeling better

God, I’m such a bitch.

I’ve been so upset about Nathan and my fight on Tuesday that I didn’t have the energy to go out with Samuel. I lied and told him I was sick. Guilt fills me.

I’m a bad person.

I text back.

You’re so thoughtful.

Thank you, I am. I’ll call you later.

I put my phone into my bag. I’m supposed to be going to Vermont for the weekend for Nathan’s father’s birthday tomorrow night, and I h

aven’t even heard from him.

I shake my head in disgust. What is going on? Maybe I should just call him.

He’s obviously having some kind of meltdown.

No, be strong. He said he needed space. Give it to him.

I hear a knock at the door, and I look up to see Henry there. “Eliza.”

“Oh, hi, Henry.” I smile.

“I just wanted to say how happy I am that you joined us. The girls all love you and are telling me how lovely you are. It’s all working out wonderfully.”