Page 28 of Another Love, Another Time
LIAM: Ouch no slack. Ok, how about I like how competitive U R.
RIVER: Is there anything else?
LIAM: Yes, but since I know U like a challenge, I feel like I should keep the rest to myself until U agree to hang out with me. You never know. Maybe I’ll add some things to the list.
RIVER: I guess I walked right into that, huh?
LIAM: So? We going to hang out?
RIVER: Sure?
LIAM: Wow that was easier than I thought. UR going soft on me.
RIVER: I thought I held out long enough.
LIAM: U busy tonight?
RIVER: Actually, I’m not in town tonight. Visiting family.
LIAM: When will U be back in town?
RIVER: Late Sunday night.
LIAM: What about next weekend?
RIVER: Sure what did you have in mind?
LIAM: Bowling. If I remember correctly, UR a beast.
We’ve hung out as a group before with our friends. Bowling is one of the things that we have done together. I feel the car slow down, and I look up to see that we are turning into Auggie’s driveway.
RIVER: Sounds like fun. We just arrived, so I’ll talk to you later, but we’ll talk this week about the details.
LIAM: Looking forward to it. See U @ school.
I close out of my app just as Mom’s vehicle comes to a stop. I feel a whole lot better about this weekend. I have been so focused on Auggie that I forgot about myself. I know it’s still going to behard if he brings his girlfriend around, but now I have something to look forward to.
~~
So, I may have spoken a little too soon. I’m currently at the bowling alley with all of Logan and Auggie’s friends, including Amber and Melissa. Auggie asked if I wanted to do something. I mentioned bowling since it was on my mind after making plans with Liam. I thought it was just going to be the two of us. Clearly, I misunderstood. So here I am. What can I say other than, “I’m having the time of my life.” (Insert a sarcastic eye roll.)
Don’t get me wrong. Most of their friends are fun. What I don’t enjoy is Amber hanging onto Auggie all night. I hate to say this, but Melissa is a lot more tolerable tonight in Amber’s presence. I don’t think Auggie and I have gotten to say more than two words to each other without Amber interrupting us.
There are so many of us that we had to break into two lanes. Amber dragged Auggie off to the lane opposite me when teams were being selected. He looked back at me as she pulled him away. I looked away, not wanting to see him feeling sorry. He’s the one who decided to date her.
It’s probably for the best that they are in the next lane. Thankfully, Logan stayed close to me, so I didn’t feel so out of place. If Auggie doesn’t want to stand up to his girlfriend, that would be just fine by me. Like I told him last year, I’m done holding him to some sort of expectation. He knows how I feel. He knows I only get so much time with him. I told him that seeing him kissing someone would be hard.
So yeah, no use in beating a dead horse.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket. I just finished bowling for my turn, so I pull my phone out. It is a message from Liam. Ismile at his response to my previous message. I had Logan take a video of me rolling a strike. I sent the video to him and said I was getting in extra practice before we hang out next weekend.
LIAM: Bring it on!
RIVER: Oh I’m going to bring it.
LIAM: I don’t doubt U will. Don’t be too hard on me.
RIVER: You want me to take it easy on you. No way!
