Page 93 of What Are the Chances
“Will!”
Shaking off the dark web of thoughts, I snapped back to reality. Based on the exasperation exuded into my name, it wasn’t the first time it had been called.
When I glanced up I found Tripp glaring at me.
“Can you move?” he grumbled.
I was standing between him and the fridge. There was an empty carton of juice in my hand. How long had I been standing here?
“Yeah.” I blinked. “Sorry.”
Passing him the empty carton, I moved out of the way. Tripp stared at it, his jaw gaping like I’d handed him a dirty jockstrap.
“What’s up with him?” I overheard Ryan murmur when I walked out of the room.
“I don’t know, but he’s been a fucking zombie all day.”
I fell onto the couch in the living room. I didn’t trust myself in my bedroom alone. I’d spiral.
Just as I flicked on the TV Grace and Levi strolled in, dressed like they were heading out. Grace was in so many layers she looked like a marshmallow.
“Where are you off to?” Ryan asked from the doorway.
“Ice cream date,” Levi answered.
Grace momentarily glanced my way before grimacing. “Actually. I kind of don’t want ice cream anymore. I don’t feel like dessert.”
Levi’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you fucking kidding me, Hughesy? You’ve been banging on about this all day, so much so that I’m craving ice cream now as well, and now you’ve decided we’re not going?”
She smiled sheepishly. “Take Will.”
Levi gaped at his girlfriend sceptically. “On an ice cream date?”
Grace took her boyfriend’s hand and dragged him from the room. Without the distraction of them, I focussed on the TV. A Devils versus Ducks game was about to start, though before the puck dropped, Levi stomped back in.
“Get up, Caufield. We’re getting ice cream.”
I didn’t budge. “I don’t want ice cream.”
“Don’t fucking care. I do. Get dressed.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the thought of fresh air actually sounded appealing. Apparently the thought was also tempting to Tripp and Ryan. By the time I ambled outside to Levi’s car, they were already buckled in the backseat.
I was clueless where to go around here for ice cream. Luckily Levi, the new model boyfriend, had an idea. We were the only people inside the ice cream shop. Not surprising. It was on the brink of snowing outside.
I stared at the cabinet, eyeing off the flavours. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d eaten ice cream. It’d been so long I’d convinced myself I didn’t like it.
“He’ll have the same as me,” Levi told the girl behind the counter.
I had no idea what that was, but whatever sounded good. After each securing a cone with two scoops, we settled in a booth in the corner of the shop. It was too cold standing outside, let alone standing outside with ice cream.
“Wait,” Ryan called out before anyone could manage a lick. “Let me get content first. I’m doing an ice cream date TikTok.”
I sighed.Of course he was.After waiting for Ryan to get the shots he needed, I licked the first flavour. Based on the pink colouring, I was guessing it was strawberry. It was sweet, but I’ll admit I didn’t hate it.
Levi nudged his elbow into my bicep. “Alright. Spill, Will. What the fuck is up?”
I exhaled, not knowing where to start. I guess the beginning was the best place.
