Yes. Yes, I did, I finally admitted to myself. But I didn’t want to risk ruining our new friendship to find out.
So, I kept my feelings to myself and suffered in silence. Not that being around Coal could be considered any kind of suffering. Quite the opposite, actually.
The drive to Cherryfield was uneventful, for which I was grateful. Part of me expected for us to get caught in another storm or be stuck in traffic because of a wreck. But that wasn’t the case. We dropped the truck off, picked up my car, and stopped for lunch before we headed back.
He offered to drive my car back to Devil Springs, and I happily accepted. I preferred to be a passenger when I had the option, especially on long trips. Which worked out great for us because he preferred to drive.
Game called while we were on our way home to let us know the power had been restored to our neighborhood. While I was happy to have power, I found myself disappointed that I wouldn’t get to spend another night with Coal. And the thought of spending the night alone in the house I once shared with my mother was even more daunting.
“You’re awfully quiet over there,” Coal observed.
“Sorry, I was just thinking about all of the things I need to do now that my impromptu vacation is over.”
“Like what?”
“The usual stuff that goes along with moving—unpacking, getting settled, grocery shopping, changing my address,” I explained.
Before I was ready, we were back at my house. I really didn’t want him to go but couldn’t think of a reason to ask him to stay. He gave me his phone number and asked for mine, and told me to call him if I needed help with anything. Then, he was gone.
I couldn’t explain it, but I felt more alone in that moment than I had in a long time, if ever.
Since there wasn’t much I could do about it, I went inside and started unpacking, hoping that would keep me somewhat occupied.
I’d been at it for a few hours and had made quite a bit of progress when my stomach growled.
“Shit,” I grumbled, knowing there was nothing to eat in the house. I really didn’t feel like going to the grocery store, so I ordered a pizza for delivery and promised myself I’d go to the store the next day.
I thought about texting Coal to see if he wanted to come over for pizza, but decided against it.
When the pizza arrived, I noticed a package on the front porch. I brought it inside with the food and looked at the label. It had my address on it, but it was for someone named S.M. Gal. There was no return address or anything else on the package to indicate where it was from.
“Guess I’ll take it to the post office tomorrow while I’m out,” I said to myself and reached for a slice of pizza.
6
COAL
Ifelt like a stalker. My bedroom was on the back side of the house, and I couldn’t stop looking at Aspen’s house from my bedroom window.
It was close to midnight, and she still had most of the lights on. I wondered if it was because she was busy unpacking or if she was having trouble sleeping. And I couldn’t ask her without sounding like the total creeper I was.
“You’ve got it bad, brother,” Game said from behind me.
I turned and glared. “Don’t you know how to knock?”
“I did knock. Twice.”
“What if I was doing something you didn’t need to see?”
“Then you would’ve been in the bathroom,” he said knowingly.
“Fuck off,” I grumbled and held up my middle finger for good measure.
He laughed and raised his hands up in mock surrender. “I just wanted to make sure you knew the gym will be open tomorrow. I wasn’t sure if anyone told you.”
“No, no one did, but I assumed it would be when I saw the power on when I drove by earlier today.”
“All right. Well, don’t stay up too late.”