Page 24 of Elusion

My mind wanders off on its own while I play through scales.

At the end of next year, the four of us will go our separate ways. Gavin and I are both looking at a few more years in school if I cave on the lawyer front. Benji never discusses his plans. Johnny, well, shit, he’ll impress all of us if he manages to stay out of jail.

Not sure why I keep worrying about the future all of a sudden, I pull out my phone for a distraction. Callie’s number will only stay in my contacts for another week, but I set her contact picture to the one of her smiling anyway.

All right, beautiful. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Callie:Goodnight, Jordan. Monday.

She wants to put me off, but the sooner I see her, the sooner I can gauge whether two days away has lost me any ground.

Tomorrow,I shoot back.

Monday.

As stubborn as ever.

“You texting the girl?” Benji asks.

I nod, pushing off the floor.

He shakes his head. “You coming out tonight?”

“Sure am.” I unplug my guitar and place it on the stand. Heading out the door, I send one more message.

Tomorrow. Stop arguing.

She doesn’t respond, and I smile. If she can’t disagree with me, she won’t answer. I don’t think she even knows how to stop challenging me. Hell, I don’t think I want her to—not for the next few days at least. I’m having too much fun at the moment.

Sunday night. One guy. Two girls. A couch.

A Disney movie?

No, the last one won’t work.

I let out an exasperated sigh and roll my head toward the two young ladies sitting next to me on the couch. Neither Felicia nor Jess respond. Soon enough—if not already—they’ll regret telling me to stay.

Felicia claimed Callie usually returns by nine, but we’re at nine-thirty and still no Callie. I offered to leave and come back, but they insisted I wait with them. So now, they can deal with the consequences.

“Someone in this suite has to have decent taste in movies,” I say, going in search of their DVDs.

I’ve never been a good guest. I’m much more the type of person who shows up and forces my way into the family. Theymight as well consider me an honorary roommate of suite six; I do.

I spy a cabinet next to the TV and open a drawer.Victory.

It takes no time at all to find a replacement to whatever junk they want me to watch. I switch out the movies and reclaim my seat beside Felicia. The empty case forHot Rodon the floor elicits a groan from Jess.

“Suck it up, buttercup.” I fling a pillow at her.

Felicia giggles and hits play on the remote. “Callie made us watch this movie last week.”

I’m not surprised Callie owns this movie.

The entire hour-and-a-half passes without interruption. Not even one from Callie walking in the door. It seems a tad inappropriate for me to hold an opinion on her not being back yet. I mean, who am I to dictate a curfew, but when does her absence become a concern?

Felicia must read my mind because, when I turn to ask, she shrugs. “This happens sometimes. I’m not entirely sure of the story.”

“I thought you knew everything about her,” I say, only half-joking.

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