Page 60 of Totally Played
I hit send, and a second later, his phone chimes loudly.
“Sorry,” he says, pulling it out. “I thought I put it on silent.”
Mom shakes her head. “It’s okay, dear, you take that call if you need to.”
“It’s just a message,” Tony says, shaking his head. Our parents were never that great with technology.
“I’ll…” Ash starts, but then his gaze flicks to me, and he smiles that wide, gorgeous grin that sends butterflies swarming inside me. He returns his attention to his phone, taps on the screen, and then slips it back into his pocket. “Sorry about that.”
“No, no, it’s fine,” Mom repeats, and my phone vibrates a second later. Duckie raises his brows like he knows something.
I swipe open the screen to check the message, careful to keep my phone under the table and away from the view of my parents, because while they acted all cool with Ash checking his phone, it’s a giant no-no for us, and has always been.
ASH: If you are okay with that. I know I don’t want to see anyone but you.
I quickly type my reply.
CALVIN: I’m great with that. I don’t want to see anyone else either.
ASH: Do you think anyone would care if we skipped out before dessert?
“I might call it a night,” I say, and Mom frowns.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah, just a headache,” I reply, standing.
“I can come,” Tony offers, spooning in mouthfuls of pasta into his mouth.
“No, you stay. I’m okay. I’ll just walk. The cool air will probably help.”
“I’ll walk you,” Ash says, standing before anyone can object.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Red. Mr. and Mrs. Parks, always a pleasure.”
“Oh, aren’t you sweet, dear. Thank you for taking such good care of Calvin. It’s nice he has such amazing friends.”
Duckie coughs, choking on the water he just took a sip of.
“Careful, man,” Tony says, slapping his back.
I kiss Mom, and we leave before anyone can join us on our quick exit. Not that Red looked even remotely like he wanted to leave. He sat next to Tony and was listening to every story Tony had about the tour last year. Tony was in his prime, there is nothing he likes talking about more than himself. It’s nice to see him get some attention.
As keen as I was a minute before, now, out in the cool night air, my stomach is doing somersaults. What if I’m shit at this? What if I freak out halfway through?
Ash squeezes my hand. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I lie, and my voice betrays me, coming out all squeaky.
“We don’t have to do anything tonight, we can just watch a game and chat.”
Does he not want me to try? Is he having second thoughts about dating a guy who’s never dated a guy?
“Look,” he says, stopping on the sidewalk and turning me to face him. “I mean it. I’m happy just spending time with you. Everything else is just a bonus.”
“Even if I suck?”
Ha laughs out loud.
