Page 8 of Glad You're Here

It’s totally fine if you can’t.

I stood and paced. I should have waited until later this afternoon to text. Reaching out in the morning made me look desperate. I set my phone on the table, wishing I could unsend the messages, and continued pacing.

When my phone dinged a few seconds later, I lunged to grab it.

She texted back. I smiled like an idiot.

Hey, Levi. Sounds fun. You can tell me more stories. Meet you there at 8.

I smiled like a bigger idiot.

I was still in awe that Thea had agreed to meet me at The Station. It felt surreal that she now sat across from me with a glass of water and a devilish glint in her icy green eyes. We’d chosen a quiet table in the corner tonight. Then she’d ordered me some fruity drink, teased the hell out of me for it, and ordered herself water, claiming that alcohol sometimes made her fibromyalgia flare up.

I didn’t know much about the illness, but I didn’t like that Thea suffered from chronic pain. When I tried to show her a little sympathy, she’d said, “Nope. Shut up. Don’t want your pity.”

Thea reminded me of an angry, wounded goddess filled with hidden secrets. Underneath all of that anger was a beautiful, almost ethereal glow. It pulled me in like a moth to a flame. Yes, I found her attractive. She had gorgeous hourglass curves, and Thea’s low-cut black shirt sparked plenty of interest, but her glow kept me entranced.

I’d never tell her, though. She’d probably stab me.

“Okay, make me a bucket list of all the things you’ve never done that most regular adults have. I will help you cross off as many as possible these next two weeks.” Thea unfolded a white napkin and dug a Sharpie out of her bag. “There you go, Levi.”

“Hmm, okay. It’s going to be a long list. You’ll have to spend a lot of time with me.” I grinned at her while she sipped her water.

Thea shrugged. “That’s alright. I like ya, kid.”

Now, I laughed. “Kid? I’m pretty sure I’m older than you.”

“Maybe in years, but not in experience.” Thea smirked, daring me to argue with her.

I rolled my eyes and got started on my list. “Thea, I’m going to get awkwardly real with this list. I hope you can handle it.” I started writing, the black marker scratching against the white napkin. I knew she’d laugh at me, but I looked forward to it. Her laugh felt genuine, and I craved that realness more than anything.

Say fuck out loud

Get blackout drunk

Kiss a stranger

Get high

Get a tattoo

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