Chapter 14
Price
The reflectionin the mirror is orange. I’m orange. Cheap spray tan orange.
Have I over-juiced on carrots? Is that possible?
I feel pretty good today, so I ignore the orange guy in the mirror, grab a juice, and sit down with my journal. Today’s a little harder for me. I don’t have the emotional capacity to write about her this morning, so I draw a picture instead. When I’m done, I stare at it.
Of course, I drew her.
Moving on …
Yoga. (I’m still flexible as a board.)
More juice.
Sauna.
Shower.
After I’m dressed, there’s a knock at my door.
“Koen,” I say with a hint of shock. “Don’t you have to work?”
“You need a phone. How are we supposed to work out together if you don’t have a phone? And yes, I have to work today, and we should be having this conversation via phone, but you don’t have one, so here I am. What time are we meeting at the gym? And really, why don’t you have a phone?”
“Do you want to come in and have a juice?”
His face sours. “No. I just need a time.”
“You tell me. I’m open. My job is flexible.”
“You said you didn’t have a job besides helping at the store.”
I take a big breath and hold it, cheeks puffed out before releasing it. “True. But I still have work.”
“What work?”
“Where to begin? I make Lego constructions, juice, yoga, sauna, walk, nap, listen to music, journal … I haven’t mastered meditation, but I’m working on it.”
Koen blinks slowly. “You’re a weird guy, Price.”
“And I take it you’ve bedded Scottie.”
His jaw tenses for a second.
Anger? Confusion? A bit of both?
“Why do you say that?”
I shrug. “Because you’re here, which means you feel secure enough in your relationship with her to befriend the other guy.”
“My relationship with her is none of your business.”
I slide my hands into my pockets. “I wasn’t asking for details or clarification, for that matter. It was an observation. That’s all. So what time can you be at the gym?”
Koen eyes me with suspicion, as he should. Not only am I using a medieval term for sex, I’m orange.
“I can be there by seven,” he says.
“Make it eight thirty. I have to work until eight.”
Koen continues to eye me. “You said you were flexible.”
“I usually am. But I work tonight.”
He shakes his head while pivoting and stalking toward his truck.
“If she had sex with you, she’s going to fall in love with you,” I say.
He glances over his shoulder.
“I’m not your competition, but I’m the guy you’ll answer to if you break her heart.”
Koen raises an eyebrow as if it’s preposterous that this skinny orange guy could land a punch. And it might be inconceivable, but I love that woman too. And love is pretty damn powerful.
“Have a great day, buddy!” I wave and shut the door.
“I heardyou’re meeting Koen at the gym tonight,” Scottie says the second I arrive for my shift. “And you’re orange. What the hell, Price?”
“I heard you got laid.”
Her mouth falls open. “He told you that?”
“Sure did. He said you were a little looser than he expected, but he made me promise not to tell you. So, whatever you do, keep your mouth shut. I don’t want to lose my new BFF.”
Her nose crinkles. “He said I’m …”
“Loose.” I shrug while peeling a banana that I haven’t paid for yet.
She swallows hard. And I can see the sparkle in her eyes slowly die.
“Scottie, I’m kidding.”
That dying sparkle turns into red rage, and she punches my arm. “You are a terrible man, Price Milloy. And I’d fire you if I didn’t need you to work so I can clean my trailer.”
I snicker over my bite of banana. “I’m not sure whose chain I enjoy yanking more, yours or his.” I make a shooing motion with my hand. “Go clean.”
We have a stare-off.
She loses, averting her gaze.
“What?” I mumble over the banana in my mouth.
“Nothing.”
“It’s something. Out with it.”
Her lips twist for a beat. “Since you first came in here and saw me after all these years, has there been a time when you’ve imagined us being more than friends again?”
Well, shit. Can I withdraw my plea for her to answer me?
Her question takes me aback. “Have you?”
“I’m with Koen.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She shrugs. “Neither did you.”
A customer comes into the store, saving us from each other.
“I’m off to clean,” she murmurs.
I nod several times.
Three hours later,Scottie returns to close the store after a slow night.
“You sidetracked me earlier. Now, will you tell me why you’re working out with Koen?” she asks while shutting down the register.
I restock the soda glasses behind her. “I need a spotter. He looked capable and proved himself helpful by taking me home the other night.”
“I like him, Price.”
“That’s good to know. At the very least, you should like someone before sleeping with them.”
“You’re mad that I slept with him.”
I chuckle. “I’m not mad or jealous. I’m happy for you.”
“Liar.”
Yes, I’m a liar, but I don’t think I’m lying about this. Am I? Is it possible that I’m jealous on a subconscious level? That would be an unexpected and interesting revelation.
“Scottie, why do you think I’m lying?”
“Because I think I would have complicated feelings if I were in your shoes.”
“Complicated feelings?”
She turns, leaning against the counter. “Price, we weren’t just friends. We went from strangers to something intense in a matter of days. And we had an unforgettable summer together. I don’t have memories of us being anything but lovers. And now you’re here, and I’m single. But this other guy just walked into my life. So yeah, I think it would be fair for you to have complicated feelings about us.”
“Do you have complicated feelings about us?”
“Stop deflecting.” She crosses her arms.
“I’m not deflecting.”
“Then answer the question.”
I shrug. “You didn’t ask me anything.”
“Do you have feelings for me?”
“Yes.”
She presses her lips together.
“But I’m not saying they’re romantic. They’re …”
She eyes me. “They’re complicated.”
With a sad smile and a tiny nod, I accept her assessment of my feelings for her. “But the dominant feeling I have is bliss. Being back in your life in any form is unexpectedly amazing.” Lie. Lie. Lie.
I one hundred percent expected it to be amazing.
“I like Koen so much,” she whispers.
“Scottie, I’m not asking anything of you. I’m not asking you to love me. I’m not asking you to choose me. I’m not even offering myself up as a choice. So by all means, feel free to like whomever you want.”
After a breath, she glances at her watch. “You better get going.”
“Are we good?”
Her expression cuts me. It’s so sad. “We’re good.”
“Goodnight.” I head toward the back door.
“Price?”
I turn.
“I will always love you.”
I know. That’s why I’m here.
I return my most sincere smile. “And I you.”