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I admire how well you guys seem to work together for her. I bet it means a lot to her.
I don’t think she gets it yet, but she will one day. Thanks. Really trying to not be my parents.
You’re doing a good job. So… back to the ghost sex
LOL glad you’re really locked in to the important things
I am but a man, Summer
Maybe I’ll tell you about it next time we hang out. It seems like the perfect conversation to have over lasagna
I’ll hold you to that.
I can’t get the stupid smile off my face no matter how hard I try. It feels like it’s permanently tattooed in place. After reclining back in bed and rewinding a few minutes on my TV show, I press play, trying hard not to think about Summer or her smutty book for the rest of the night. I fail miserably.
Summer and I text back and forth every day for the rest of the week. We talk on the phone more days than not. Sometimes we talk about silly things like the best ice cream to eat after finding out your husband cheated on you (brought on by her current book). Other times, we dive into more serious topics, like her fears of what the separation is doing to Emma or how lonely I was when I was moving around, and the betrayal I carried around for years. The more we talk back and forth, the more I realize I like her. Not just an infatuation, but genuinely like her as a person. And I’m quickly realizing that she’s someone I want in my life one way or another.
On the following Monday, I’m greeted with a text from Summer after turning my alarm off in the morning. I rub the crust out of my eyes andcheck it.
Summer:
I’m sad
What’s wrong?
Shit, I didn’t wake you did I? Sorry, you were the first person I thought of. I should have texted Steph.
You didn’t wake me. I get up at 6:00 on work days. Now what’s up?
Okay good. Emma’s at her dad’s again this week and it just makes me sad. Never thought I’d have to split half of my daughter’s life with someone else.
I’m sorry. That has to be hard. I’m here for you if you want to talk or I can come over after work to keep you company for a bit. We can play Scrabble. I bet you’d ruin me with how much you read.
Decimate. I would decimate you.
See? It’d be fun.
Rain check? I’m going out to dinner with Steph tonight.
Yeah sure. We can add Scrabble to our list of things to do this Saturday.
Perfect. Thanks for being here Ryan. It means a lot.
Anytime.
‘You’re the first person I thought of.’
It’s been forever since I was in this position. Something inside me preens at being the first person she went towhen she was in need. I’ve always had an innate need to be useful and reliable. It’s a part of myself that I’ve been neglecting ever since Lydia. She took that part of me and twisted it, making it so that I felt ashamed about something I’ve always liked about myself.
‘I just got so bored, Ryan,’I can practically hear Lydia say. I wasn’t exciting enough for her, so she cheated. Went and found that excitement with someone else. I just hope Summer doesn’t get bored of me too.
CHAPTER 14
Summer
After work, I meet Steph at The Taproom for dinner. We always prefer the lighter Monday night crowd over the rowdy weekend one. The bar is divided into three: The main bar, a pool section, and a dining section. The dining section is to the right and only holds a few tables and booths. She’s already seated at one of the low booths and waves me over.
She’s wearing a cute black sweater dress, her hair piled on top of her head in a stylish bun. Her red-painted lips stretch into a grin as she greets me. “Hey, girl! I already ordered drinks for us.”
