Page 106 of Without You

I set my phone on the table for everyone to see and hold my breath when I see the three little bubbles popping up.

Then for the next minute they go back and forth from appearing and disappearing.

The bubbles to let me know that she’s typing are completely absent for a couple more minutes. After thirty seconds of waiting, Johnny had already lost patience and growled that she needs to hurry up already. None of us disagreed.

“A watched pot never boils, kids,” Gil says knowingly.

Brody shoots his dad a look that doesn’t get to his dad in any way. “Hey. I’m just being helpful. Why don’t you show me what you’re working on right now?”

“Dad, I have no desire to talk cars right now.”

“Whoa, that’s a first,” mumbles Chad.

Brody rolls his eyes and huffs.

“Tell me what else Chase said,” I ask of Brody, encouraging him to talk about something else to take our minds off our current reality.

“He apologized for making you uncomfortable.”

“Say what, now?” Gil speaks up, appearing obviously irritated.

“He asked her out and according to Chase, it sounds like he was doing a shit job at it and let Katie know that he’d seen her in town when he was here looking at the custom truck I built for him. Then on top of that, he asked for her number. A week later he showed up here for a massage and shit got even more uncomfortable. He was surprised Katie didn’t tell me,” Brody looks at me pointedly, “and I agreed at first.” I open my mouth to respond but he continues, not giving me the chance to explain. “Then realized that was probably something she wasn’t allowed to tell someone else because he was a paying customer.”

Turns out I didn’t need to explain. Brody understands without me having to spell things out for him. Just like he couldn’t tell me who he builds for because of privacy, my clients deserve the same.

“Go back. Made her more uncomfortable?” Chad asks, equally as irritated as Gil was moments ago.

“He got a fucking hard-on while she was giving him a massage.”

“I’m gonna need you to repeat that.” Johnny might say the words without emotion but he’s not doing a good job hiding his smirk.

“You heard me. Don’t make me repeat that shit again.”

Johnny, Chad, and Gil lose it completely, doubling over in laughter. Their laughter is infectious and soon I’m giggling, too.

“It’s not funny, assholes!”

“Oh, it’s totally funny. Chase Stanton. Country music superstar got a hard-on because your girlfriend was giving him a massage. That’s not only amazing, it’s freaking hilarious.”

I’m wheezing, laughing so hard I have tears rolling down my cheeks. It’s definitely a good change from earlier. What happened today sucked. No one deserves it. But this, right here, is what I needed.

“Katie, honey, your phone,” Gil says, pushing it my way.

While I was cracking up, probably thinking it was far too funny considering the situation we’re dealing with, Hannah texted me back.

“Oh, crap.” I shake out my hands. “I’m kind of nervous.”

“Just read what she has to say, babe. You have nothing to worry about. None of this is on you, yeah?”

Blowing out a breath, I straighten my shoulders. “Yeah. Yeah. Okay, you’re right.”

Hannah: Things are great! Marriage is WONDERFUL. How are you? What are you up to now?

I read it out loud and I hear a collective snort, making me giggle.

Me: I’m GREAT! I finished massage therapy school, got a job, found a new place to live, and I’m seeing someone. I’m so glad you’re doing well, too. Anything new with y’all?

Hannah: Oh? I hadn’t heard any of that! We totally need to get together for a glass of wine soon.

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