Page 45 of Respect

I know that makes me sound like a selfish shit,

but that’s the honest answer. I don’t know.

Though she’d read right away, it was a long time before she responded. So long that Duncan figured she’d decided to ghost. He went back to YouTube, feeling sour and depressed.

Almost half an hour later, while he was staring at, but not really watching, a video of a couple touring Iceland on a Triumph, another text popped up.

Thank you for being honest. You don’t sound

like a selfish shit. You should have the life

you want. So should I. I like you, too. I don’t

think saying we want to see each other more

should be a commitment to changing our

lives forever right off the bat, but I do think it

means maybe starting to be accountable to

each other. If what you want right now

is being single and doing what you want

(I assume that means doing WHO you

want), then we’re not in the same place.

Is that what you’re saying you want?

I’m saying I don’t know whether

I want that, or I want you.

As soon as he hit send, he wondered if that, too, was a shitty thing to tell her.

LOL. Be still my heart.

Sorry. Truly.

No, honesty is good.

Okay. Sounds like you need

to figure your shit out.

When you do, if you want, hit me up.

I’m not going to sit here and wait, but

if we land in the same place at the same

time, then maybe we’ll see.

Good night, Duncan.

Be safe on your trip.

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