Page 10 of Give In To Love
Humor me
I shook my head, waiting as three dots popped up and disappeared several times. Finally, two more messages came through one after the next.
I don’t say it enough, but I love you and I’m proud of you
I wouldn’t be where I am now without you
Tears pricked my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as I processed what he’d said. I started to type out a response, to deny that last message, when another one came through.
Don’t argue for once
I swallowed, then typed out my reply.
Alright. But then I get to say I’m proud of you too
Fine. We’re even
Enough mushy stuff
Text me next week. I want to know how your classes go
Will do
4
TJ
“Aw,come on. That’s a bullshit call,” Tyler hollered at the TV, throwing his napkin down in disgust. We’d grabbed lunch and were currently watching the Chiefs play preseason football in the Student Union. Several other tables were also occupied by football fans, all facing the big screen, making it a fun atmosphere to watch the game, even if it was still the preseason.
“Looked pretty questionable to me,” I said, agreeing with his assessment of the pass interference call. Unfortunately, the ref wasn’t inclined to agree and play continued. Thankfully, there were only five seconds left on the clock, allowing for just one more play before halftime. The Bears quarterback dropped back for a long pass, but before he could get it off, our defensive tackle burst through the line, leveling their quarterback and ending the half.
Tyler stood, grabbed our empty plates, and tossed them in the garbage. He returned after refilling our drinks, turning his chair to face me and giving me an assessing look.
“So, you gonna tell me what’s the deal with your roommate?”
I sighed, honestly surprised he’d held out this long before asking. Part of me wanted to keep Jimmy all to myself, and part of me was dying to talk about him with someone.
“His name’s Jimmy. He’s from Astaire.”
His brows shot up at that last bit. “Is that how you know him?”
“I don’t know him. Not really.”
“You don’t usually send people into a panic at first sight of you. I’d actually say it’s usually quite the opposite.”
“Aw thanks, baby brother!” I flashed him a shit-eating grin.
He rolled his eyes. “You called him sunshine, and then he backed away from you like you had eight legs. Seems like there’s a backstory there.”
I shrugged. “Our paths crossed randomly five years ago when we were out visiting Gram. I’d gone for a walk in the woods and ran into him. He looked…sad. I spent several hours with him and then parted ways when it started to rain. I never saw him again until yesterday.”
“Several hours in the woods, huh?” He waggled his eyebrows.
“It wasn’t like that, dick. I think he just needed to get out of his head for a while.”
“And you really never saw him again?”
“We didn’t exchange names. I didn’t know how to find him.”
