Page 11 of Learn Your Limits
I decide to reply and tease him right back.
JustMilo:And why is it you’d like me to be your professor?
JustMilo:They were the usual amount of terrible. Thank you for asking. I was good and managed to stay at the same four cups from earlier.
JustMilo:How did you spend your afternoon, Cal?
Staying reclined in my chair, I close my eyes for a moment and relish in the quiet of the empty building. My phone sits in my lap, now on vibrate while I begin to think of what I’d like for dinner tonight and wait for Cal’s reply.
Feeling the vibration on my lap, I pick up my phone but stay in my reclined position as I read his replies.
CallMeCal:For all the fun extra credit, of course ;)
CallMeCal:I spent the day listening to some friends scream at a TV over old football games. Not exactly my idea of a fun day, but it’s better now that I’m talking to you.
A breathy laugh leaves my lips at his response.
JustMilo:I don’t know if you’d want me as your professor, Muñeco. I hear I’m kind of a hardass.
JustMilo:In all honesty, I’m sure it wasn’t very different from hearing some of the other professors drone on about the same thing they do every year.
JustMilo:I’m heading home but catching an Uber because I’m too tired to drive. Would you be open to me calling you on the app and keeping me company on the ride?
I quickly gather my messenger bag and only bring home a minimal amount of work. The semester starts two days from now, and as much as I'd like to be prepared for it, I’d also like to not be an exhausted heap in front of my students on the first day of classes.
Not wanting to be in the building a moment longer, I lock up my office and walk out of the sciences building, nodding to a few colleagues who are still lingering around. At the front of the building, I’m still waiting for Cal’s reply, even after I check to see that my driver is only a minute away now.
CallMeCal:Sure. Yeah. I’d love to hear your voice.
Well, here we go. I put in my earbuds and hit the call button on my screen. The app’s ringtone only plays for a few seconds before the call connects.
“Hola, Cal.”
“Hey, yourself,” he chuckles nervously.
His voice fills my ears, and it’s like the weight of the day has left my shoulders. It’s deep and soothing, a little rough, but pleasant nonetheless.
“So you’re not a football fan, then?” I ask, knowing I may have to lead the conversation here and being more than okay with it.
“Honestly, I’m not really a sports fan in general. I go to the games when I can to support my friends, but I’d much rather be drawing instead.” He pauses before saying, “Don’t tell me you’re a sports fanatic. This might be over before it even begins.”
“This may be the end of our call, then.” A scoff comes from his end of the phone. The Uber driver pulls up, and I wave my hand over to him before bursting out into a small laugh. “Cal, I hate sports. I’m not coordinated enough for them, and I’m not into yelling at my TV screen unless it’s to a character in a horror movie.”
I hop into the back of the sedan and greet the driver with a polite smile and a small wave, pointing to my headphones to let him know I’m on the phone.
“You had me for a second. I thought I was about to write this off as the shortest relationship I’ve ever had. Can’t say I yell at people in scary movies either, but I’m also usually too busy covering my face to be yelling.”
“Not a fan of scary movies, then?” I ask, interested in every bit of information Cal gives me. “Cal—hold on a sec, please. I’m starving.” As enthralled as I am by him, it’s been way too long since I’ve had anything to eat, and I take a second to ask my driver, “My man, have you eaten dinner yet tonight?”
The driver shakes his head in reply and asks me if I’d like to get something on the way home.
“How would you two feel about burgers and fries for dinner?” I ask both of the men. For my driver, it probably seems like a normal request to make. For Cal, I’m not sure how he’ll take my idea without any warning.
A groan comes through his end of the phone. “Fuck, you’re speaking my love language right now.”
“Burgers it is. Fred, would you be open to dropping some food off for my friend after my ride? He’s close to campus, too.” My headphones are still on, allowing Cal to hear my plans as well. “I’ll triple your tip, and you’re getting the best damn burger around.” I think the burly driver’s laugh in agreement is loud enough for Cal to hear.
“Cal, are you still there?” I ask.
