Page 24 of The Backup

I take a deep breath. “It’s…complicated. Joe and I broke up. And I, um, maybe have a crush on another guy already.”

Grandma rocks gently, her expression calm and steady. “Well, sweetheart, life doesn’t follow a tidy script. Sometimes someone surprises you, even when you least expect it.”

I fiddle with the rim of my mug. “It just feels too soon, you know? Like, how can I already have feelings for someone else? Isn’t there a rule about this?”

She chuckles. “Rules? Oh, honey. Love doesn’t follow rules. If it did, your grandfather and I would’ve been in trouble from the start.”

I glance at her, intrigued. “Why? What happened with you and Grandpa?”

Her voice softens as she tells her story, and I soak in every word. By the time the evening sky turns indigo, her wisdom has untangled the knots in my heart, at least a little.

As we head back inside for another round of tea and pie, I feel lighter. Maybe things will work out after all.

My phone buzzes as I’m falling asleep that night, and I decide that Sunday I’m going to have to take a break from my phone.

But curiosity gets the better of me. Who’s messaging me this late?

Asher: Library is pretty empty tonight.

Me: Guess everyone is out celebrating the big victory. Shouldn’t you be?

Asher: Nah. Football just isn’t “it” for me. You know?

Me: What is “it” for you?

Asher: I’d tell you, but I feel like I don’t know where we stand now.

Me: Just pretend I’m the person you’re 100% honest with.

Asher: Okay. You’re not “you” in this scenario?

Me: Exactly.

Asher: Alright. Well, I met this girl. I didn’t know much about her—just that we had this insane “vibe.” And maybe we crossed some moral boundaries—like telling her ex she’s busy after I did some very naughty things with her. They’d just broken up, but honestly? Hottest night of my life.

Me: So your “it” is reliving that scenario?

Asher: My “it” right now is seeing what another hangout would be like. And going from there. I don’t like to get ahead of myself.

Me: So you like to take it slow? Didn’t seem like it last night.

Asher: Wait, if you’re not “you,” wouldn’t you not have access to that memory? Thought this was a simulation scenario.

I chuckle. What a nerd.

Me: Okay, my bad. Go back to pretending I’m your therapist or whatever.

Asher: I would NOT admit some of these dark desires to my therapist. Too personal. Wait—is this what you talk about with your therapist?

Me: lol. I’ve never had a therapist. Maybe I should add that to the list.

Asher: Oh? What “list” are we talking about?

Me: The list of things that are fucked up about me.

Asher: Does that include how wet you got taking me in your mouth last night? Oh wait, sorry—you’re my therapist…

Ugh. Why does this man have the power to make my thighs clench just by texting?

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