Shit, I hated going out for Halloween. Dressing up and hanging out in bars was not enjoyable for me. “I have a few students that day and I really need to work on my thesis.” I clenched my jaw. Would she push it?
She huffed. “Fine, then let’s go for a movie and dinner this weekend? What do you say?”
So, she did this to guilt me into dating her again? It might have backfired. I lifted the corner of my lips. “I might have to take some students this weekend as well, judging by the number of emails I saw. Let me get back to you.” Touché. She hadn’t thought this through very well.
“Fine, then get back to me. But try to keep Saturday evening open, okay?” She huffed. “Damn, I didn’t think that many people would contact you already.”
I wanted to watch the football game on Saturday. Shit. My chest twinged. “I’ll try, but I can’t guarantee anything.” Would Evan be around? I’d have to check his game schedule.
“So, let me know tomorrow, okay?”
“Sure, I’ll text you.” I already knew my answer. I glanced out the dark window leading to the courtyard. The sun had already set, and I still had to make dinner. “I, uh, need to go.”
“Okay. Talk to you tomorrow,” she said. “Bye now.”
“Bye.” I ended the call and sat for a moment, thinking about today’s events. I would need courage to be truthful with Sara, and then I’d have to endure an evening with Travis and not touch him. If we were out somewhere and not in my apartment, it would be a lot easier.
By the next day,I’d gotten four new students to tutor, and each one had opted for afternoon sessions, so my schedule hadn’t gotten too unbearable. Plus, who knew? They might only need the one session. I’d gone to classes in the morning, met with oneof my new students in the afternoon, and now I was free. I’d checked on Evan’s games, and he should travel home on Friday from Seattle.
As I closed the door from my study session, I slipped my phone from my pocket and called him. The phone rang a few times and picked up.
“Hey, Colton. How’s it going?” Evan asked.
“Good. Where are you?” I paced across the main room and settled onto the corner of my couch. He could still be traveling.
“I’m at the airport, but I have some time before my plane boards.” He took a quick inhale. “How are things going with Tex Rowlings? How was the non-date?”
My heart flip-flopped. So much had happened since then. “It was fine.” I clenched my jaw for a beat. Should I tell him the truth? He’d been right about everything. “We’re hanging out tomorrow night on Mill Avenue.” He’d be happy to hear I was getting out.
“Oh, good. So, another non-date?” He snickered. “And I suppose you’re going to tell me nothing happened.”
“What?” Shit, he knew me too well. “Nothing happened on our non-date.” That much was true, except for me spilling my guts and then…nothing happened. “I told him about my past, so he knows everything.”
“Everything? Likeeverything?”
“Yes, even about the pills and shit.” Hanging my head, my chest squeezed. Travis had coaxed it from me. Or maybe I’d felt safe enough to confide in him.
“You never tell people about that. You must really like him.” His smile carried through the phone.
“It wasn’t a big deal. He was very sympathetic about it.” I huffed and rubbed my palm along my thigh. He might have kissed me if Sara hadn’t shown up.
“Colton, itisa big deal, and you know it. When will you stop this nonsense and let yourself love someone?”
Now he was pulling out the big guns. I had to stop him. “When it’s the right person. Now tell me if you’re free on Saturday night to watch the ASU football game.” I pressed my lips together.
“I’m free. It’s a non-date.” He freed a soft snort and then said, “Hey, I have to go. I’ll see you on Saturday. How about a bar in Tempe? That would be fun, wouldn’t it?”
“Sure.” I bit the edge of my lip. I’d mull that over before I made a final decision. It could be crazy in those bars. “Talk to you soon. Bye and have a safe flight.”
“Yep, bye.” He ended the call.
I should text Sara and let her know I’d be busy on Saturday. She didn’t need to know when I’d made my plans. I opened my text app.
Colton
Sorry, but I have plans with Evan on Saturday, so I can’t see you.
My phone lit up with a call from her.