Page 52 of Devoured

“Indefinitely?”

I pressed my lips together. Penny could be calling me any minute. Or she could take a while. I was hoping on sooner rather than later though.

“That’s okay, right?” Rob asked. “I figured when you invited me to stay that it was an open ended invitation. It’ll be fun. Like old times.”

Old times.“Have you spoken to Matt recently?”

“Nah, not for a few months. I talked to Mason the other day though. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are cutting him off.”

“Why?”

“Because he won’t take over the family business. He has…other interests.”

“The marketing firm he wants to start?”

“What marketing firm?” Rob asked.

“The one he talks about sometimes.” I don’t know. It had been a while since I’d spoken to my childhood best friend.

Rob laughed. “No, man. I heard he’s starting a sex club.”

Wait, what?“You’re joking.”

“And since when do I joke around?”

“Um…always?”

Rob laughed again. “I would never joke about a sex club.”

“Fair.”

“Speaking of the Caldwells, I should go visit. If they’re disowning Mason, maybe they’ll adopt me. Pretty sure I’m their favorite son anyway.”

Honestly, he was probably partially right about that too. We’d basically grown up at the Caldwells’ house. We were practically family. The Caldwells had been through a lot and everyone always welcomed the laughter that came along with Rob. “So does that mean you’re staying with them instead of me?”

“Slow your roll. I was kidding. I’m not made to take over MAC International. I’m more made to…sleep on your couch.”

“You’ll have your own room.”

“Score. I gotta go. But I’ll see you soonish.”

“You said next weekend.”

“Yeah. Next weekend-ish.”

“I’m telling Ellen you’re coming next weekend, so if you’re not here I’ll be eating all your favorites.”

“I hate schedules. But fine. I’ll be there. Later, man. I’m excited for my surprise!” He hung up.

I hoped he wasn’t expecting a car or something. I stared down at my phone. There was still no new message or call from Penny. I forced myself to click on Matt’s name in my phone.

“Hey, man,” Matt said.

I wasn’t sure why, but hearing his voice made tears pool in the corners of my eyes. When would this stop hurting? When could we go back to just being us again?

“I’m a little busy right now,” he said. “Can you maybe call back later?”

He did that a lot. Avoided talking to me. But I needed to have this conversation. I think we both did.

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