Page 37 of Level Me Up

I shift around on my cushion. “Yeah, but I’m not sure why.” I clear my throat, “We don’t see each other every day, so going three days without seeing him shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“True, but it’s kinda different with him going out of town. He won’t be here…in the city.” She chews on her thumbnail.

I let out a big sigh. “That’s probably it. At least I’ll still be able to text him, and he will call when he can.” I hope.

“Luckily, you have me and Ruby. We’ve been known to show a girl a good time,” she says with a laugh.

I smile at that, at least I do have them. I won’t be lonely.

We sit there in silence for a few minutes before she asks, “Ok, something else is wrong. You look like someone knocked your ice cream cone on the floor.”

With a look of resignation on my face, I lean over and pause the show, and tell her, “My dad called. He is thinking about selling the house. He wants to move on from the memories the house holds.”

Baffled, Gia asks, “What? That’s crazy. What do you mean he wants to move on?”

“My thoughts exactly. He is remodeling the kitchen.”

“I didn’t know your dad was the handyman type,” she says, skeptical.

I let out a laugh. “I didn’t know either.”

She picks the remote back up and fiddles with it, tossing it from one hand to the other. “Morgan, do you think he is seeing someone?”

I hate hearing it out loud. I’m not going to lie, I had a similar thought, but I didn’t want to continue down that path. With a groan, I say, “Maybe. But he didn’t say anything about it.”

She nods. “Would it bother you if he was?”

“Honestly? No. I’d be happy for him. But what I’m not happy about is how he told me he is selling the house. And what if this person…”

“A woman, it would be a woman,” Gia interjects.

“Whatever. What if this woman is the one telling Dad to sell the house? That, I’m not ok with.” I feel quite agitated now.

She leans over and places a hand on my arm. “I understand. He hasn’t always been the best communicator when it comes to you. But until he tells you otherwise, just take what he is telling you at face value. Ok?”

I place my hand over hers and squeeze, “Thank you, Gia.”

“Now push play. I love this episode, because it’s when Rory breaks poor Dean’s heart.” She says haughtily and snuggles back into the couch.

“What? You are a terrible person sometimes!” I say, horrified. She just cackles with evil glee and turns up the volume.

~~~

The next day, my bummed-out mood is still hovering over me like a rain cloud. I’m a mix of emotion right now as I drive Dex to the airport. The rest of the team grabbed an Uber but Dex asked me if I wouldn’t mind taking him. I think he just wants a private make-out session in the car before he has to go. That, or he just knows I need some last minute Dex time.

While I haven’t come out and told him that I’m nervous and antsy about him traveling, I think he can tell I’m on edge.

“When does your flight land?” I ask.

“Around nine. I’ll text you when we land so you don’t have to worry,” he squeezes my hand that he is already holding.

I smile my thanks as I signal the car into the airport parking lot.

“I know you don’t like that I’m gonna be out of town this weekend, but it’ll be fine, babe. Promise.” He tells me.

I sigh, “I know, I’m just antsy. I’ll miss you.” I’m really not trying to sound whiney. I really hate feeling this way, but I do.

As I pull into the drop-off lane, I ask, “Will we be able to talk at all while you’re gone?” I worry my bottom lip between my teeth.

---