And I wish I could tell them everything is better than okay. Because I have a valid reason to miss drinking with the guys tonight—
My girl.
And time with her is better than every celebration combined. Even if it’s just on a phone screen.
You won your game?” Avalon’s face pops up on my screen.
“We did.” I smile. “The game was insane. We dominated them.”
“And you guys didn’t want to go out to celebrate?”
“The guys did.”
“And you didn’t?”
“I had other plans.”
A shy smile grows on her face as she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear.
“How long till you get home?”
“Miss me that much, huh, Stewart?”
“Maybe.”
Now it’s my turn to smile. I don’t know why Avalon admitting that she misses me makes me as happy as it does, but I guess it’s nice to know since I miss her, too. A lot.
We’ve talked every day since I left. Which is not something I ever thought would happen. But I constantly see things that remind me of her. Or I see something that I know she’d find funny, stupid, or exciting, and I just have to share it.
“Is it weird that I wish we were together right now?” She looks away. “Like not over phone screens, but lying next to each other, having this same conversation.”
“No, it’s not. I wish I was with you, too. The bed feels off without you.”
“You could always ask Fletcher to cuddle you,” she teases, and I chuckle. I forgot I told her about that conversation. Fletcher would kill me if he knew I shared that with someone outside of our friend group, but the endless laughter that happened once I told her was worth dying for.
“It wouldn’t be the same,” I respond. “I don’t like him like that.”
She rolls her eyes before readjusting her position on her bed.
“Has your mom been home recently?” I change the topic of the conversation.
“No,” she sighs. “I don’t know why I’m surprised, though. The second she got into a relationship with that guy, I knew all the progress she was making would go downhill. With her, it’s always just a matter of time.”
“I don’t know how she could just disappear, though. Like it’s not that hard to at least text you and let you know she’s okay.”
“I’m not important enough for that kind of conversation. Plus, it’d just lead to an argument. That’s why my mom hasn’t been by the house; she knows if I see her in the condition I know she’s in, I’d be disappointed in her. So, it’s just easier to not see me at all.”
“Which is an even crazier concept. Someone not wanting to see you. We’ve only been apart for several days, and I can’t wait to get home and just stay in your room and watchBonesfor the rest of the break.”
“Pretty sure you don’t really get a break from hockey.”
“Well, when I’m not at hockey—”
“Or with your mom.”
“Or with my mom.” I smile. “I’ll be with you.”
“Your friends are going to start catching on.”