Page 10 of It Couldn't Be You
“I’ll go check in with the young crew.” I winked.
“Keep ‘em in line, Em.”
“Oh, you know it,” I said as I slid the doors closed behind me.
Three
Jordan Boyfriend <3
You ok? Seemed a little distracted on the phone.
Me
Sorry. I was distracted by the party and everything going on tonight. I was glad to hear your voice. You’re sweet to check on me.
Me
Excited for tomorrow!! Christmas time!
Jordan Boyfriend <3
OK. Just checking. Love you! Get some sleep tonight.
Me
You too!
“What were you doing outside in the cold in just a sweater?” Katie said, appalled, as I stepped back inside.
“You’re just now noticing I was gone?” I said.
“I noticed. I thought Jordan probably called. I just assumed you had a coat,” Katie said.
“Well, I survived the cold. Somehow,” I said like a survivor.
“So, how is Jordan then?” Gabe asked. I wondered if he was just confirming it was him I was talking to.
“He’s good. He’s good,” I said. “So, what game are we playing?” The group sitting around in the living room was down to Gabriel, Katie, Ricky, Victor, and Maggie. I sat down beside Katie on the loveseat.
“We’re thinking we might play charades or something,” Victor said noncommittally.
“You know what?” Gabriel spoke up from his spot on the ground by the couch Ricky, Victor and Maggie were curled up on. “Let’s play Truth or Dare.”
“No,” Katie said while Ricky shouted, “Yes!”
“No, no.” I sided with Katie. “No.”
“Why not?” Ricky protested. “I think it sounds fun.”
“Because we’re not sixteen,” Katie explained.
“How about we play for our sixteen-year-old selves? In honor of them and all the dumb dares we used to play,” Ricky pleaded his case.
“In honor of the nasty peanut butter and pickle sandwich, you guys made me eat when we were sixteen? No, thank you,” Katie said. Maggie’s mouth formed a horrified O.
“Come on, Em. What do you say? Why not pretend we’re sixteen again?” Gabe said with a playful wink.
I could barely breathe, exactly like when I was sixteen, but I choked out, “Fine.”
