Page 103 of The Hat Trick

Brent: I’m glad, you didn’t seem happy there.

Chandler: Yeah, it’s a good thing. My boss was a fucking asshole.

I expect another quick text response, but instead my phone is lighting up with Matt’s name. When I answer he practically growls, “Do I need to kick his ass?”

I laugh which is cut off with a hiccup. “No, you caveman. I don’t need you to defend my honor or some shit.”

“Are you drunk? Where are you?” he asks, sternly.

“I’m at home, and if you’re going to be likethis,I’m calling Vince or Brent. They are actually nice to me.”

“You like that I’m not all that nice to you.”

I huff without agreeing or disagreeing as I start to remove my clothes to get into bed.

“Well sometimes I need niceness, not whatever you are,” I slur.

“That’s why you have the other two then.”

“I’m going to bed,” I say, not wanting to have this argument with him. Plus, my pants are off and I don’t want to do anything else right now other than crawl into my bed.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly, and I rear back even though he can’t see me. I look down at the phone to make sure I didn’t hallucinate and I’m actually talking to Vince or Brent, but the screen still says Matt.

“Yeah, I’m okay. This will be good,” I admit quietly.

“Good, then go to sleep Little Bunny,” he says before we hang up.

As I toss my phone down to grab a big t-shirt so I can be comfortable when I slide into my cool sheets, I see it light up, and I know now I’m hallucinating because there is no way the message I’m seeing is actually real.

Jay: Hey Chandler, you looked good when I saw you, I hope you’re happy with your boyfriend and I truly mean that.

I stare at the screen for longer than I should. I still don’t believe this is real. I should leave it alone. Unfortunately, I am not completely in my right mind and since I half think I’m already dreaming I might as well respond.

Chandler: I am. I’m soooooo happy with him. He’s the best guy I’ve ever been with. Hands down.

I chuckle to myself, swaying on my feet as I hit send, then fall into bed unable to stop my giggles. My phone vibrates with a response that makes me laugh even harder.

Jay: That’s so great, Chandler. I’m happy for you really.

Jay: I did want to see if maybe you could get Lola and me tickets. She’s never been to a game.

I actually hold onto my stomach while I start hysterically laughing. I can’t breathe. He can’t be serious, or he’s a fucking idiot. It’s probably the latter. Again, because I’m full of good decisions right now I decide to take a screenshot of the messages and send them to someone who I know will appreciate the idiocracy.

Vince responds right away.

Vince: He has a death wish, doesn’t he?

Vince: Let him know I’ll get him tickets. Anything for an ex of Chandler’s *wink emoji*

Chandler: You really will?

Vince: Don’t worry baby, I have a plan.

Vince: Also, I can’t wait until I can see you again.

I get giddy from his response. This man has been nothing but sweet to me since the beginning and I’m starting to drift off, I’m definitely feeling the effects from too much alcohol. But I’m losing all reason to not tell him how I’m really feeling about him. If I’m really being honest with myself, it’s all of them.

It’s different for each. I can’t even explain it, not really. I know I’m the one who put the casual rule in place, and I know I’ve tried to keep them at arm’s length emotionally, but that’s getting harder and harder to do.

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