Page 41 of Something to Someone

“If you want to,” my mom added with a soft smile.

“Sure,” I began, still unsure how they would react about the news. But if I did take the job, they’d find out eventually when I no longer lived in the same city. I just hadn’t planned to tell them until it was done. “One of them is local, an engineering firm with really great benefits. They’ve even offered to help fund a master’s degree if I choose to pursue it.”

There was a chorus of congratulations and remarks about how perfect it sounded. Staring down at the table, I held my breath as I prepared to continue.

“Yeah, it’s pretty perfect. And the second one is just as good, only they’re offering me a little more money and are willing to pay for me to relocate.”

When silence followed, I couldn’t help but look up. My dad’s brow was furrowed, and Jessica’s eyes were wide. Caroline was staring down at her plate, and Theo wore his usual unaffected expression although I knew by previous conversations, he wasn’t excited about the idea of me possibly leaving.

It was my mom’s expression that rocked me. She was putting on a brave, smiling face, but I could see the tears welling in her eyes.Fucking hell.Watching her try to hold it together was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to bring it up right then. I’d completely killed the mood.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet. I haven’t told either of them yes or no. They’ve been kind enough to give me…time to respond.”

“How long?” My dad asked.

“Two more days. Then they go with the next applicant.”

More silence, and I could feel it crawling across my skin. It was loaded with unknowns and concern. It was uncomfortable, and I wanted to be anywhere but there.

Until I felt Caroline’s leg brush against mine. At first, I thought it was an accident, but when she pressed harder and didn’t move away, I realized it was intentional. It was a show of support.

“I haven’t made a decision yet,” I added.

“But it’ll be the second, right? Of course, it has to be if it’s more money and a better opportunity.”

I was shaking my head before my dad even finished speaking. “The opportunity is about the same, and the money isn’t enough to make a huge difference. Besides, I have…reasons why staying here sounds better.”

My attempts at being non-specific only worked so well because both of my parents descended into arguments about how I shouldn’tnotpursue an opportunity because of them. The issue was that, although I would miss them terribly, I knew they would be fine. I wasn’t worried about moving away and how it would affect them.

I loved them, and I would miss them, but it wasn’t my parents I couldn’t bear to leave behind.

TWENTY-ONE

LET’S PLAY A LOVE GAME

Caroline

Tightening my coat around me,I questioned for the fifth time since I’d left my house what the fuck I was doing. But none of those questions made me consider turning around.

My knuckles collided with the green front door, and I glanced down the exposed apartment hallway. Luckily, it was empty of curious, prying eyes. I would have looked strange to anyone wearing a trench coat in the summer. Strange and stupid since it was so hot, but I’d do anything for the bit.

On the other side of the door, I heard movement, and I silently pleaded for him to hurry the hell up. I didn’t have to wait, though. A second later, the door swung open.

Neither of us said anything, and Ryder froze the moment he saw me. A half-eaten bowl of cereal in his right hand, the other was braced on the door to keep it from swinging shut. His tan torso was bare, and the only thing he wore was a pair of gray sweatpants that were slung low on his hips. His apartment behind him was mostly dark but for the little lamp in the corner and the TV that cast shadows over his skin.

“What—what are you doing here?”

I tilted my head and took a deep breath. The nerves causing chaos in my stomach were new, and I wasn’t used to the feeling. I shouldn’t have been nervous.

“Currently, I’m standing at your front door where anyone could see me,” I said, which made Ryder jump into action.

He stepped aside and waved his bowl of cereal toward the room. “Umm…yeah, come in.”

Walking through the doorway, Ryder closed it behind me. He set his bowl on the counter and flipped on the light right above the small bar top. I tossed my bag by the door. The air conditioning was glorious on my warm skin.

“I’m so fucking happy to see you, but what are you doing here? And why are you wearing a coat?”

I spun around and appraised the rest of the room. It was almost what I expected of a twenty-three-year-old guy who just graduated. The walls were mostly bare, but there were photos placed around the room. The couch was one I recognized from Natalie’s house years ago, as were the pillows tossed in each corner.

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