Page 47 of Unloved

We go back and forth like this, me reading the screen as he speaks and then responding.

It gets easier every day, more familiar, more comfortable. I’m learning there is no right or wrong way to communicate; there is only what’s right or wrong forme.

We pull up to a place called Cali Burgers a few doors down from the gym.

“How’d you hear of this place?” I ask him.

He points in the direction of the gym and it’s safe to say he means Arlo. We take a seat and I let him order for me, because he’s insistent I have to try the loaded fries.

When the server eventually returns with three burgers and three fries, I look at Frankie, questioning him. But he just smiles and tips his chin in the direction of the door at the same time Clem appears in my peripheral vision.

“What are you doing here?”

Standing, I wrap my arms around her waist as she throws hers around my neck. “I missed you,” I say into her hair, and she squeezes me tighter.

She takes a seat between Frankie and me and immediately starts texting. I’m getting used to the creation of group chats for every occasion, because it ends up not just being me who needs to be included. You couldn’t have a whole conversation through text messages and expect others to just sit there and wait expectantly till you’re done.

Clem: How’s it been, stranger?

I leave the phone on the table and start digging into my food as Clem’s texts come in like rapid fire.

Clem: When Frankie messaged me, there was no way I could pass up an opportunity to see you.

Clem: When are you moving back in? Because I don’t like not seeing you every day.

“That depends on Frankie,” I tell her. “When he moves, I move.”

Frankie: I’m thinking about it. Let’s just leave it at that.

Surprisingly, Clem does, but it doesn’t deter her from asking her next round of questions.

Clem: Where are your boyfriends today? Or are they your bodyguards? I’m surprised to see you without them.

I’m taking a sip of soda when I read her text, and I nearly choke on the drink.

When I stop coughing, I glance up to see her and Frankie eyeing me, extremely amused.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say in between stuffing my face with fries.

Clem: Oh, look, there’s Arlo and Rhys now.

My head whips around so fast, it’s embarrassing. But it’s been days since I’ve seen him, and even if we’ve texted every day, I hate the way the three of us had to rush out of bed and part ways after our night together.

His face is flushed and sweaty, and when his eyes land on mine, I can feel the heat rise up into my cheeks and my mouth stretch into a smile.

I’m so fucked.

Daring to look at Frankie, I school my features. “How nice of you to invite everyone to lunch.”

He laughs and then glances down at his phone. A text comes in, outside of the chat with Clem.

Frankie: Don’t think I missed the way you just smiled at him.

17

SAMUEL

Walking to my car through the student parking lot, I’m surprised to see Lennox leaning against it. My mouth tilts up into a smile and my pulse quickens at his presence. I’d gotten so used to hiding my feelings from him, schooling my features, trying to keep my breathing even, that I had no idea how freeing it would feel when I didn’t have to do it anymore.

---