Page 17 of In Her Fears
“Three traumas in the last two hours of my shift.Car accident on Route 16.”Chloe took another swig of beer.“Nothing fatal, thank God, but I’m dead on my feet.How was the café?”
"The usual Thursday chaos.Two tour buses stopped in around lunch, heading to some bluegrass festival in Cable County."Alexis stretched her legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles."I swear, fifty people all ordered different complicated coffee drinks at once."
“Good tips, though?”
“Excellent tips.I put another two hundred in my Ryan Fund.”
Chloe snorted.“Your Ryan Fund?Is that what we’re calling it now?”
"Well, you know, if I'm going to move in with him, I need to contribute something.Even if his recording equipment does take up a lot of the living room, the place will be half mine.The least I can do is cover groceries for a while."
The familiar topic settled between them like a comfortable old blanket.Alexis had been spending more and more nights at Ryan’s apartment over the past few months.What had started as occasional sleepovers had gradually evolved until she now kept a toothbrush, several outfits, and even her favorite coffee mug at his place.
“So,” Chloe said, tilting her head to look at Alexis directly, “have you guys set a date yet?For the big move-in?”
Alexis picked at the label on her beer bottle.“Not exactly.But I’m thinking end of the month?If that’s okay with you.I don’t want to leave you hanging with rent.”
“It’s fine.Seriously.”Chloe waved a dismissive hand.“I actually talked to Sandy again today.She’s pretty much decided to take your room.”
“Really?That’s perfect.”Relief washed through Alexis.Sandy Shearer had been their friend since freshman year at Ozark State.She was reliable, clean, and most importantly, would fit seamlessly into the household rhythms they’d established.“When did she tell you?”
“She called during my lunch break.Said her lease is up October 1st, so the timing would work out.”
Alexis nodded, but a flicker of guilt still nagged at her.“I still feel bad, though.We’ve lived together for what, three years now?”
“And it’s been great,” Chloe said firmly.“But this is a good thing, Lex.Ryan’s crazy about you.And I’ve never seen you this happy.”
It was true.Ryan Kimball had stumbled into her life fourteen months ago when he’d ordered a complicated latte at the Sunflower Café, then left an enormous tip and his phone number.Their first date had turned into a second, then a third, until suddenly Alexis found herself deeply in love with the laid-back musician with the gentle eyes and clever hands.
“I am happy,” she admitted, looking up at the moon again.“It’s just weird, you know?Big change.”
“Big, good change,” Chloe corrected.She yawned suddenly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.“Sorry.I’m fading fast here.”
“Go to bed,” Alexis said.“I’ll probably stay out here for a while longer, then maybe head over to Ryan’s.He’s playing at the Centaur’s Den tonight, but he should be done by eleven.”
Chloe stood, stretching her arms overhead until her spine cracked audibly.“Wait, so who gets custody of Galileo?”she asked, patting the telescope affectionately.
“Galileo stays here,” Alexis said firmly.“He belongs with the house.”
“How diplomatic of you,” Chloe teased.
“But I want visitation rights.Clear nights, full moons, meteor showers—I get to come over and use him.”
“Reasonable terms.”Chloe nodded solemnly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement.“I think we can work this out like adults.”
“Plus, Ryan’s apartment is in the middle of downtown.Light pollution would ruin poor Galileo’s effectiveness.”
“Now you’re just making excuses,” Chloe laughed.“But fine, joint custody it is.”
Alexis held up her beer bottle in a mock toast.“To successful co-parenting.”
“And to you and Ryan,” Chloe added, clinking her nearly empty bottle against Alexis’s.“May you have grossly perfect domestic bliss.”
"Gross is right.We'll probably start wearing matching sweaters and posting a couple of workout videos."
“I will disown you,” Chloe warned, heading toward the back door.“Completely disown you.”
Alexis chuckled, watching as her roommate slipped inside the house.The screen door closed with a soft thwack, followed by the more substantial sound of the inner door.Through the kitchen window, she could see Chloe moving around, placing her empty bottle in the recycling bin, and turning off the main light.Then the house fell into darkness, save for a small glow from upstairs where Chloe's bedroom was located.
