Page 57 of Only One Bed: Anthology Vol. 1
"Yeah, but this is halfway." His expression never fell. "Will you meet up with me again? Next weekend? I'll pay for your gas. Hell, I'll come pick you up."
"That doesn't make any sense," I said, but it felt good to be wanted. Maybe I didn't have a job, but at least one person thought I was worth spending time with. He stepped closer.
"Give me your phone so I can give you my number. We can make plans later. I just...don't want this to be how it ends," Ryan said. Looking into his dark eyes, standing this close, I didn't, either. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and unlocked it.
"Wait a sec, I've got a notification...oh." I froze.
"What?"
"I got an interview." I had never felt more relieved. I was anxious, sure, but relief was winning out for now.
"Already?" Ryan asked.
"Well, um. I felt like things were going bad at my job a while ago, so I started looking around, just in case."
"That was really good thinking. That's amazing." He was giving me a look that I thought might be pride. Like something serious enough had happened between us that he had an emotional stake in my life. I handed him my phone. "You'll text me and tell me how it goes, right?"
"Yeah." This felt good. So good that I had whiplash from how terrible my week had been. I tucked my phone back in my pocket and turned to go, then changed my mind. I couldn't leave without a goodbye kiss. I didn't mean for my arms to go around his neck, or to press so close, or to let a sigh slip out. I definitely didn't mean to murmur that I would miss him, but his returning smile and hug were worth it.
Back at my car, the pee-tent was still lying behind my rear right tire. It was completely soaked with rainwater and completely useless, so I chucked it in the closest trash barrel before I got in. Feeling like I'd relieved myself of more than one burden, I put the car in reverse, but sat with my foot on the brake for long enough to text Ryan.
We should go camping in a hotel next time, I said. A little way down the road, he texted back. I passed a few text stops on the highway back home, and thought about stopping to see what he’d said but chickened out. It wasn’t like I thought Ryan would text me to tell me he’d changed his mind, but being at home would make me feel more grounded, more like this whole thing was real. Though waiting felt like the right decision for the first hour or so of the drive, it got harder and harder not to look at my phone.
By the time I got home, all I wanted was to talk to Ryan. I left most of my gear in the car, just grabbing my backpack since my wallet and toiletries were inside. When I finally sat down on the couch and curled up around my phone, the butterflies that had started my weekend returned, warmth spreading through my body as I read his short text.
I'll be happy as long as I get to see you again.
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