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He waved me off. “Couple hours won’t hurt. I’m glad you messaged me. I’ve seen ya but I feel like I haven’t seen ya. Know what I mean?”
I nodded but before I could answer the server came over and took my drink order. Once he was gone, I continued the conversation. “Yeah. A lot has happened. But I came back to be here for everyone.” The server brought my beer and we quickly agreed on a large meaty pizza.
“So, couldn’t help but notice you and Jaz.” He clasped his hands together on the table. “What happened there?”
I shrugged and smiled. “Yeah. Well, a few days after I got back, we finally talked and cleared the air I guess and said we’d be friends. So, we were. For about a week, anyway.” I chuckled and he cocked an eyebrow. “I was gonna ask her to dinner one night, but we got into an argument and things went from there.”
Jason shook his head and his brows pinched together. “Wait, so you got in a fight and got back together?”
“I know it sounds crazy. It was a misunderstanding. But she got upset so I went after her, and I pressed her to find out why. Turns out, she still had feelings, so I went for it.”
“Awesome, man. So, what happened?”
“Well, we spent a lot of time making up.” I waggled my eyebrows.
He laughed as he ran his hand over his beard. “No, I mean before. What happened in college?”
I blew a breath through puffed cheeks and turned my palms up as I shrugged.
Jason’s brow furrowed. “I don’t get it. I thought you had an argument. That didn’t come up?”
“Not exactly. I had gone to the club to find her, but I planned to ask her to dinner the next night because I knew we both had the day off. When I was coming in, a woman from work happened to be walking in with me and she got the wrong idea and took off. I made her tell me why she cared anyway if we were just friends and she said some things, then I said some things, then we ended up in my apartment for the next whole day.”
The server came around to check on our drinks and said the pizza would be out soon. Jason went on with the questions. “But you didn’t ask what happened? In all this time? I’m dying to know and I’m not even in this relationship, man.”
My lips thinned briefly then I said, “Well, it was intense. I told her I still wanted to be with her, and she mentioned that, but said she couldn’t talk about it so I told her we could start over.”
“And you’re really okay with that?” he asked with raised brows.
“I guess I have to be now. I told her it didn’t matter.”
Jason shook his head. “Listen, man. I’m happy for you. For both of you. I’m no expert, but I nearly lost Lucy because I didn’t just talk to her.” He sipped his beer. “To be clear,” he said as he swiped his hand over the table, “she was just as guilty. But my point is, if we hadn’t finally broken down and said the things we needed to say, we probably wouldn't be getting married.”
I played with the label on the bottle. “I know. But now I’m scared I screwed it up. If I go back on what I said, she’ll be upset.”
“Mike, I know you missed her and you’re glad to have her back, but if it’s bugging you, you need to nip it in the budnowbefore you blow up.”
“Ha. I don’t have your demeanor.”
He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. The longer it goes on, the worse it’ll be.”
“You’re right. And to be honest, it’s been on my mind. I just…” I stopped when the server came with our pizza. Once he was gone and Jason grabbed a slice, I continued. “I just got her back, Jason. I can’t lose her again.”
He finished chewing then said, “I know. But this isn’t college anymore. We gotta be man enough to have those tough conversations. How will you keep it up if you can’t trust her?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I just gotta figure out when and how to bring it up. I can’t just blurt it out over dinner.” I took a slice and put it on my plate then looked back at him. “I will, man. I just gotta find a good time.”
“Hey, I support you no matter what. I just want youbothto be happy. Now, tell me about work.”
We talked for a while about the hospital, Jaz came up a few more times but more lighter details, and Jason gushed about Lucy.
After a few beers and we had demolished the pizza, I ordered my rideshare. We settled up the tab while I waited.
“It was awesome to catch up. I know you’re busy making up for lost time with Jaz, but I’d love to hang out some more. Lucy’s been asking about a double date.”
“That sounds fun. I’ll get with Jaz and let you know. Our schedules have been a little all over the place.”
My app chimed to let me know the car was waiting so we both stood up and walked outside. Jason leaned in for a bro hug. “Seriously, man, don’t be a stranger.”
