Page 34 of Ryder

“Text me when you get in. If you want, I can pick you up from the airport.”

“Thanks man, that’d be great. Look, I’ve gotta run, but we’ll hang out.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

We hang up and I stare at my phone.

I can’t help myself. I dial Crystal immediately. It rings out and I hang up.

I shoot her a text.

Me

Heard you moved. How come you kept a low profile?

She doesn’t read the message right away, and a few hours later a text bounces back.

Crystal

Hey. I’ve been busy. I’ve been meaning to call you. How are things?

I stare at the words. She’s beenmeaningto call me? Clearly I wasn’t on any kind of priority list.

Are we really gonna do this?How are things?Pretty fucking shit now that I heard you moved to my city and have a boyfriend.

Me

I’m fine

I contemplate my next words, but I know if I aggravate her, she won’t come to dinner, and I really want to see her. Even if, clearly, she doesn’t want to see me.

Me

I’m having dinner with your brother next weekend

Crystal

He called and left a message. It’d be fun catching up

Fun?

I’ve been in fucking hell for a year over here, and it’d befun?

I roll my neck and do not let my mind wander to Crystal sharing her bed with another man. What is he like? Does he treat her well? Is she happy?

What I want to do is drive over to her apartment and check things out.

Me

Text me your address, I can pick you up

Crystal

That’s ok. I can meet you both at the restaurant

I hover my thumbs over my screen, wanting to say so much more, but I’d rather do it in person. And she doesn’t want me going over because she’ll have her boyfriend there.

Me

---