Page 70 of Pitcher Perfect

In the never-ending minutes after, I stared at the wall instead of scheduling an appointment with the bank for him or googling support programs for veterans in foreclosure trouble. I needed a distraction before I tried to fix everything. I needed comfort, maybe a big hug. When I unlocked my phone, I saw missed texts from Austin.

Austin:you finishing the job? Send me a pic. Wanna see your stomach covered in cum. Give me something to jerk off to later

Austin:lol you must be really going for it

Caleb: sorry, my dad called. Rough convo

Austin:oh shit. You ok?

Caleb:not sure yet, but I will be

Austin:Want me to come over?

Austin’s presence always made me feel better. To be honest, it was the only thing I could think of that would help, but he was busy. Even if his meeting was over, surely he had more important things to do than deal with me moping over something most people would probably consider ridiculous.

It was easy for me to run to other people’s aid when they needed it. But ask for my own help? Risk burdening someone with my own shit? Yeah, right.I’d overheard one too many adult conversations when my mom was sick about how taxing it was for our friends and neighbors to step in and help us while my dad was on the road to feel comfortable asking.

I reread his text. He was offering though. People didn’t usually offer to support me. They asked me for support or sometimes reluctantly agreed if I asked, but Austin offered unprovoked. Maybe I should give him a chance.

Austin:I’m coming over, ok?

Caleb:You sure? Ok. Thanks. No rush. I’ll be up for hours

If Austin even showed up, I doubted it would be for quite a while. I still needed to go through my chamber event grocery list.

I had barely settled onto the couch, after a quick bathroom visit and grabbing my notebook, when there was a knock. When I opened the door, I found Austin standing there with a concerned look.

“You got here quick.” It couldn’t have been more than five minutes since we’d texted.

He looked confused. “I said I was coming over. Is it too soon?”

“No! I know. I didn’t expect you to come over so quickly.”

“Do I seem unreliable?” The wrinkle in his forehead was adorable.

I laughed. It was a near-frantic sound. “No. No. Not at all. Come in.” I stepped back and gestured for him to enter.

He didn’t stride in like he had the other times he’d entered, like he was comfortable. Instead, he hovered near the door as though he thought I were moments away from kicking him out.

“It’s my own bullshit.” I jabbed at my temple. “I rarely ask for help, and when I do, I’m not used to people agreeing.”

Tension slowly left Austin’s body. A wry grin twisted his lips. “Technically, you didn’t ask. I offered.”

I grimaced. “That tracks. People don’t usually… come right over. It’ll be after they’ve finished having drinks with friends or a text to check in hours later instead of really being there.”

“You know some pretty shitty people then,” he said with determination.

I laughed awkwardly. “Yeah. I guess I do.”

“You’re always there for people. It’s okay to let people support you.” Austin opened his arms and closed the distance between us, pulling me into the best hug I’d had in years. “I’m sorry about whatever happened with your dad. Want to talk about it, or want to numb out onGBBO?”

I squeezed Austin’s waist like my life depended on it. “GBBO, please.”

He stood there, letting me hug him until my arms grew tired. He didn’t press me for details or make me feel like a burden. Eventually, my hug meter filled up.

“Thanks.” I released him.

“You don’t need to thank me, but you’re welcome.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the couch. Sitting on one end, he put one of the throw pillows that came with my couch over his lap and patted it.

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