Page 35 of The Fadeaway
I grab my phone and take it with me to Christian’s room. He sits on his bed with a stack of books next to him. Way more than three, but honestly it might be better to give in tonight and hope reading in mass quantities puts him to sleep.
Christian is sitting on my lap, head leaned back on my chest when I feel my phone vibrate with a text. We’re on book four, so I do the fast version, skipping unnecessary words and sentences, and then tuck him in. By some miracle, he seems tired and I cross my fingers as I grab my phone, give him a kiss, tell him my favorite thing of the day – him, and head out to the living room.
Joel: Picking you up in five. And by picking you up, I mean I’m going to call you.
Me: Do people still do that? Talk on the phone?
Joel: Only when there’s no other option.
Guilt gnaws and panic sets in. Crap, this is going to be the worst date in all of Joel Moreno’s dating history. That’s a long list to be at the bottom of. At least it’ll be memorable for being the worst. Ugh.
Joel: Can’t wait, Kitty
I press the phone to my chest and smile. He always knows just what to say.
At exactly seven, my phone rings. I take two deep breaths and then answer, “Hello?”
“Hi, Kitty. You look beautiful.”
I giggle into the phone. “How do you know?”
“You always look beautiful.”
Feeling the blush creep up my neck, I divert the conversation. “So, what exactly are we doing on this virtual date?”
“Check your email.”
“My email?”
“Yep, I sent you something.”
I walk to the dining room table where my laptop sits and open my email. There’s something really exciting about seeing his name in my inbox. Seems silly since I’m talking to him on the phone, but as I click on the email, subject Best Date of Your Life, I feel more special than I ever could have imagined.
There’s a link and I click it, praying it’s not porn, and am pleasantly surprised when it takes me to a website to claim my free movie. I attempt to read the Spanish title aloud, “La Val…” My words trail off and I decide to just go for the synopsis which is thankfully in English.
“Now, full disclosure, I’ve never seen it, but my mom said it was super popular when she was young, and it takes place just a little later than your Hector and Imelda story.”
I finish reading the synopsis, smiling ear to ear. “This is amazing.” I can practically hear his grin. Cocky bastard. “We’re going to watch this together?”
“Yep. I’ve got it all fired up and ready to go so just let me know when you’re ready.”
I unplug my laptop and carry it with me to the couch.
“Where are you? At your place?”
“Yep, in my room. Want a visual?”
Heck yes, I do. “Sure.”
A moment later the text arrives. Joel sprawled out on a bed, propped up on the headboard with a laptop on his legs. He’s naked from the waist up and I follow his bare torso down past the chiseled abs and V-cut. I’m mentally undressing him and I’m not the least bit embarrassed until I hear his voice through the speakerphone. “Put it in your spank bank for later, Kitty.”
I close out of the picture. “Spank bank, really?”
“Are you suggesting I’m not hot enough to be used as spank bank material or that you don’t spank the bank. I’m calling bullshit either way.”
“You’re too much.” I shake my head and press play on the movie. “Okay, I’m ready.”
For the next ninety minutes, we watch the movie. There’s commentary on the wardrobes and how the quality of filmmaking has changed, but for the last half of the movie we’re both so glued to the screen, not a word is uttered. Or at least I assume that’s why he’s quiet. Maybe he’s fallen asleep.
