Page 36 of A Royal Menace

Royal

After sending the email, I stare at the screen for several beats, savoring the light, happy feeling in my chest before shutting the machine down and standing. Pulling my messenger bag over my shoulder, I leave my room and head straight for Callie’s. Her door is propped open, and when I pop my head in, the room is empty and the lights are off.

I don’t dwell on the disappointment stinging my chest, smiling and waving at the other staff members I pass on my way to the exit. When I step out into the afternoon sunshine, I take a quick glance around the lot. I can admit I’m looking for Callie. I can also admit I feel that same twinge of disappointment I felt earlier when I see her car leaving the lot and pulling out onto the street.

I watch until the vehicle disappears around a bend in the road, then I blow out a long breath and head to my own car. Deciding tomorrow is soon enough to see Callie, I convince myself I’m notthatdisappointed to have missed her. Turning the radio up, I sing along with it as I put the car in gear and head home.

After I let myself into my apartment, I drop my bag on the kitchen table and head straight for my bedroom. Stripping down, I hop in the shower to wash the day off, then dress in a pair of athletic shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. Walking to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge before plopping myself on the couch to relax for a while.

I lean back and close my eyes for a few moments, then pop them back open with a sigh. My apartment is like a tomb. Lonely and silent.

I pick up my phone and open my text message thread with Elle. Reading through this morning’s texts, I feel my mood lighten. Tapping at the screen, I type out a new message.

Me:Do you ever hate the quiet moments? Like when you’re all alone with only your thoughts for company and the silence is deafening?

I watch the screen for a “read” receipt for several beats, then decide I’m being pathetic. Closing the app, I drop my phone beside me and grab the remote, instead. Turning on the television, I search for something, anything to watch that’ll take my mind off the strange loneliness I’m feeling, but nothing interests me. Clicking the T.V. off, I call out my AI voice assistant’s name and ask her to play some music.

I’m just starting to relax when my phone chimes with an incoming text message, and I eagerly snatch up my phone. When my face unlocks the screen, I open the app and read the short message.

Elle:Every. Damn. Day.

Her response leaves me feeling twisted up inside. Glad that she texted me back. Relieved that she can empathize with me. Sad that she feels this way so often.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I slowly type out a message asking her if she’d ever consider meeting in person sometime. Halfway through the question, I grunt and delete it. I can’t suggest that.

If we meet, it could ruin the easy,anonymousfriendship we’ve built. I like chatting with her, and wouldn’t want to lose that if she turns out to be a different person, entirely, in real life. What if she’s intolerable? What if she’s really a grown ass man living in his parents’ basement?

Even if sheis exactly who she seems to be, asking to meet could scare her off. She could have the exact same concerns about me and decide our short little daily conversations should end if she thinks I’m pushing too hard.

I type out a new message, instead.

Me:I know texting doesn’t exactly break the silence, but I’m here if you ever need a distraction from it.

Elle:Thanks, Emmett. The same goes for you. I’m here.

I stare at the last two words, and my eyes start to sting. This whole thing started because I was texting Hope, trying to find a way to ease the pain as the anniversary of her accident drew close. She’s not here anymore, but Elle is, and I’m feeling a bit guilty for enjoying these text exchanges. I know it’s silly. Hope has been gone for two years, and I know she’d want me to move on and be happy.

Not that I’m moving on withElle. This is just a friendship, of sorts.

An image of Callie pops into my mind, and I grunt and shake my head. I can’t deny I’m attracted to her. And after spendingtime with her this weekend, I can admit I might evenlikeher. But nothing is ever going to happen there. Besides the fact that we work together and it would be a terrible idea, the woman barely tolerates me.

But speaking of Callie…

I close out the texting app on my phone and open my work email to see if she’s responded to my earlier message. My chest expands, and my mouth parts into a wide grin when I see she has. Clicking it open, I bark out a laugh as I read.

From: Calliope Barnes

To: You

Subject: re: re: Dinosaur Impressions

Dear Drunk Chicken,

I wasn’t spying. Your classroom was too quiet, and I was just making sure your students hadn’t tied you up and gagged you before escaping to the playground, or something. Also, I was wondering if I could pick your brain sometime in the next week? I want tomake my lessons a bit more fun for the kids, so who better to ask than a big kid like you?

Sincerely,

A Grown-up

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