Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Dylan
Me: Look what I bought today!
I attached a picture of my newest cactus. Or first ever cactus.
Mike: Aww, it looks so cute!
Me: Right?! I’ve never had one before, and usually I kill my plants. I figured this might be able to survive me.
Mike: Perhaps…
Me: *Gasp* You think I’ll kill it!
Mike: Maybe… I did hear about your old goldfish…
Me: How was I supposed to know it wouldn’t enjoy cheerios? I was ten!
Mike: Still…
I grinned at my phone. Mike and I had talked for a few weeks now, or rather, we’d texted.
He remembered my food pictures and I got them at the end of his work day.
It was the thing I looked forward to the most. I was heading into dangerous territory.
I knew that, but I was so lonely while Pete was spending so much of his time with Jackson.
The fact that Mike seemed interested in texting me, too, meant that he likely felt the same absence from Jackson as well.
Me: Maybe naming it will save it from its inevitable doom? Stabby? Globby?
Mike: Poki?
Me: OMG! Poki is adorable! I’m naming him that.
Mike: Glad to have helped save a life.
Me: Enough about my adorable Poki and your heroism. How was work today?
Mike and Ivar had to visit a family that owned a farm today to help them out on their daily tasks. Mike had been a mix of excited and terrified. Rightfully so, it sounded like hard work and Mike wasn’t used to that. At least not yet.
Mike: It went okay, a little tiresome but also sort of rewarding. My entire body is aching, though.
Me: At least you’re getting a break tomorrow. Any fun plans?
Mike: I might go clubbing with Ivar. It’ll be a long drive there but with Sunday off it should be fine. Besides, we don’t know when we’ll get the chance to have fun like that again.
Now, I knew that glaring at my phone wouldn’t fix anything, but I was deep into this with Mike, even if he didn’t know it, and likely never would. I did not like the idea of him going out and potentially finding someone else to spend the night with.
Me: Have fun!
Not!
Six months later.
Mike: I miss burgers so damn much!
Me: You can eat as many as you please when you return.
Mike: I had no idea that good burgers would be so hard to find here. I mean their food is great! There’s so much flavor and it tastes amazing, but what I’m really craving is a big juicy burger and some salty fries. I’d even beg for ketchup just for that sweet tangy taste on my tongue.
I giggled as I snapped a pic of my lunch and sent it.
Mike: You asshole!
I laughed harder.
Me: I have no idea what you mean? I simply wanted to return the favor and show you what I’m eating.
Mike: Damn you. Is it good? Juicy? Describe it to me.
I was smiling so wide it was starting to hurt.
Me: It’s juicy and the bacon inside is perfectly crisp. As is the salad.
Mike: *Drooling*
Me: And these fries…
I added a picture of said fries.
Me: Perfectly salted and crisp with a fluffy center.
Mike: I swear this is like porn.
Glad to be alone with my blushing cheeks, I typed out a quick reply before I got too stuck in my head. Mike and porno… nope, not even going there brain.
Me: Want a video? I can add some sensual music to it too?
Mike: Tempting…
Six months later.
Me: He’s still alive!
I sent a pic of Poki looking all cute in his new pot in front of my window.
Mike: And you’re certain it’s not plastic?
Me: Fuck you.
Mike: No, I mean it. Have you checked?
Me: It’s a real cactus! Don’t you think I would’ve known if it was plastic?!
Mike: Not really, no. But good job keeping it alive! Have you remembered to eat yourself?
Me: No comment.
Mike: I thought so.
Me: Did you end up going out with Ivar last night?
Mike had been clubbing with Ivar twice since the first time and I was dying for details that would only make me suffer.
I found myself needing to know what happened to Mike.
Ivar had hooked up each time but Mike never really answered me when I asked about him, which was fair, but also fucking killed me.
Mike: No, I was way too tired to spend hours dancing. Besides, Ivar just wants to find someone for the night and then he’ll ditch me anyway. I’d much rather just stay at the hotel and relax.
I did a little happy dance before replying.
Me: Understandable.
Mike: What about you? Do you have time to go out with your new job?
I’d worked at three different places while Mike had been in Africa and the first only lasted three weeks before I had to quit.
I wasn’t known to be a quitter, but they were the biggest assholes and I didn’t need money that much, not when I’d started getting paid for gaming.
My newest job was at a gas station where the worst part of the job was the odd hours, but I actually enjoyed working there.
Me: I’m not really into the party scene.
I’d never even gone. Pete was with Jackson and wouldn’t join me if I’d asked, and I didn’t have any other close friends.
I had my cousin, but he had his own bestie and I felt like I was intruding on them if I asked them to go out with me.
Also, it wasn’t at all tempting. Dancing to music that would most likely not be to my taste and the scent of sweat and spilled alcohol…
yeah not my idea of a fun time. I also couldn’t drink which meant many places wouldn’t allow me in anyway.
Mike: Really? But you’re still so young.
I rolled my eyes at that.
Me: Yes, Daddy, you’re completely correct I am young.
Mike: Don’t ever call me daddy ever again
I grinned.
Me: Okay, Daddy.
Seven months later.
Mike groaned into the phone. “Describe it to me.”
I laughed. “You want me to describe the taste?”
“Yes, please.”
“Can’t you buy burgers when you go into the city?” I questioned, amused.
“They’re not the same,” he groaned. “It takes two hours to go into the city where there’s decent burgers and even those don’t come close to what we’re used to.”
“So, you’re actually able to get burgers, they just don’t meet your too high standards,” I objected.
“Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m picky about my burgers, okay? Even my hotel doesn’t have any good ones available. At least their African food is amazing.”
“Huh,” I said, pondering. “Why don’t you just enjoy their food then and look forward to your favorite burger when you return?”
“Because my stomach demands burgers, Dylan!”
I snickered at that.
Mike laughed softly, then changed the subject, “Have you spoken with Pete lately?”
“Yeah, we gamed for a few hours yesterday.” I spent more time with Pete now and I was so relieved we were back to our old friendship.
“I still can’t believe he didn’t tell me he’d quit being a medium,” Mike grumbled.
I got Mike’s annoyance. I had to learn about it from Mike, who was told by their mother, Linda.
“He’s busy being in love and running the club with Jackson,” I reminded him. Jackson and Pete owned a mansion that they’d turned into a BDSM club. It took most of their time but they both seemed happy doing it.
“Yeah, yeah. And I’m happy for them.”
There was something in his tone so I had to ask, “Did Vera try to contact you again?”
Mike had rejected her calls and texts but she seemed determined to get in touch with Mike ever since her newest boyfriend broke up with her.
Was I afraid Mike would take her back? Definitely.
I wasn’t ready to lose whatever Mike and I had started.
It might just be friendship to Mike, but to me it was everything.
I looked forward to his texts and thought about what he was doing and with whom all day every day.
I doubted he did the same with me, but I could pretend.
He sighed. “Yeah. I didn’t answer, but it’s annoying me.”
“Just block her.”
“You make it sound so easy,” he said with a soft laugh.
“Well, isn’t it?” I countered. They’d been broken up for almost two years already and it wasn’t as though they were friends.
“I guess it should be. I just fear I’ll never fall in love again and if I block her, I’m blocking my chance at happiness in the future.”
I groaned. “Miiiiike, there’s literally so many women you can date and fall in love with, why stick to the one person you know isn’t for you?”
He went silent and I briefly feared I’d spoken too truthfully. “You’re right.”
“Huh? Come again? I don’t understand those words when directed at me.”
That made him laugh. “I’ve never thought about it like that. I know for certain Vera and I don’t work together, so why am I refusing to take that last step?”
I shrugged even though he couldn’t see it. “You tell me.”
“I’m so glad I have such a wise friend,” Mike teased.
“And I’m glad I have a burger and you don’t.”
“Fucking bastard,” Mike growled and I cackled in return.