Page 63 of DadBod

“Maybe when your brother gets out…”

I shrug. “Maybe.” Who knows when that’ll be? His next parole hearing isn’t set to happen for months. The last one ended badly, obviously. Several people from our hometown showed up at the hearing and were able to convince the committee that he should stay right where he is.

“Ready?” Jeriann stands, stuffing her tips into her front pocket.

“Yep.”

Jeriann locks up the front door and we set out toward the El. “Hey, I haven’t heard you talk about any boyfriends lately.”

Jeriann shrugs. “No time. Since Rome promoted me, I work more hours here.”

“What about that guy… Kyle?”

“Oh, honey bun.” She wraps her arm over my shoulder. “His name was Cael, and let me tell you, that boy knew what he was doing in the sack. And his cock was out of this world.”

I’m not going to comment on her last statement, because that’s just how she talks about these things. “If he was that amazing, why aren’t you seeing him? Huh?”

“Who says I’m not?”

I stop on the corner to wait for a car to pass. “Are you?”

She shrugs again. “Too busy.”

“But if you like him…”

“He’s okay. Relationships are too much work, honey bun.”

I guess Jeriann and me think about these things differently. Or maybe we’re just in different places. I’d love to be in a long-term relationship.

“Speaking of love––how’s it going at Rome’s?”

“Love?” I cough the word out. “Why did you say it like that?”

Jeriann laughs. “You don’t need to play that game with me, Beth. I know you’re way into our dadbod boss, and he’s way into you.”

“No,” I say as I step onto the El. “He’s not.” How could he be?

“He is.” She points to two empty seats toward the back of the train car. We move around several people to get to the seats. “You’re just naive.”

“I’m not naive.” No way. I know how life works. It sucks.

“You’ve got to admit you see life through rose-colored glasses sometimes.”

I really don’t. Life is hard. “I just prefer to think positively.” The alternative is just––I’m not going there.

“Well, I’m positive that Rome James has a crush on you.”

Shaking my head, I reach into my purse to check my phone. There’s a message from Calvin: Dad says I can come work with you tomorrow. But I’m supposed to ask you if it’s ok with you.

I’m about to type a yes when I check the time. After one. “Is it too late to text Calvin?”

“Nah. If he’s asleep, he’ll see it in the morning.”

“True.” I type: Sure! Sounds fun. See you tomorrow. “Weird. Isn’t Rome off tomorrow?”

“Yeah. I’m in charge for the whole night.” She rubs her hands together like a villain. “Finally… Monica had better watch out. I’m going to be on her ass like––like––” I wait for a clever ending, but all she adds is “Just trust me. I’m just gonna be on her ass.”

It makes me laugh. She makes me laugh. Hard. When it has slowed down, I tell my best friend, “God. I love you. I needed that.”

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