Chapter 19
COLE
My fingers hover over the screen of my phone, unsure how to introduce myself to CodeBreaker, which is a great name for her username, since it says its whole premise is about breaking the codes around dating.
Flyguy
Hey!
Fuck, that’s lame.
Flyguy
Sorry, I’ll try that again. It’s nice to meet you, and I’m genuinely excited about getting to know you.
Was excited the right word? Probably not, but I can’t exactly tell her that I’m currently trying to get over someone I had a one-night stand with who I don’t know the last name of, and that I barely know. Now that does sound lame.
CodeBreaker
Hey, it’s great to e-meet you too. This is weird, right? Have you tried dating apps before?
Okay, this might not be so bad after all.
Flyguy
Too many.
That’s me being honest.
CodeBreaker
Ouch, I’m guessing they didn’t go well and that’s why you’re trying this one now?
Flyguy
A friend recommended it. Well, she knows someone who knows the app’s designer.
CodeBreaker
Really?
Flyguy
Yeah. So, I thought I’d give it a try. It’s got me intrigued. It already feels different.
CodeBreaker
Do you think it’s strange that we can’t see photos of each other?
Flyguy
Not really. I quite like the idea of not judging a book by its cover. I think sometimes we get into our heads about what we like and then it keeps us stuck, then we repeat the same cycles or go for the same type.
CodeBreaker
I like it for that same reason too. I have a question.
Flyguy
Fire away.
CodeBreaker
Do you wear socks in bed?
Flyguy
I’m not a savage.
CodeBreaker
Great!
Flyguy
I might wear socks in the shower, though.
CodeBreaker
No, you don’t.
Flyguy
Maybe…
CodeBreaker
You are crazy.
Flyguy
Not crazy enough to wear socks in the shower.
CodeBreaker
Phew.
Flyguy
*laughing emoji*
CodeBreaker
I already find your sense of humor attractive.
Flyguy
That’s a relief.
CodeBreaker
Do you like sports?
Flyguy
I love basketball, and I’ve been a Warriors fan since I was old enough to understand the sport. And you?
CodeBreaker
HUGE Warriors fan.
Flyguy
Do you go to any games?
CodeBreaker
I do, but not as many as I would like due to work restrictions. I work long hours often into the night, but I think I want to get a season ticket for next season.
Flyguy
No way? That’s what I’m considering too.
CodeBreaker
Well, this is less awkward than I thought it would be.
Flyguy
Same. Tell me a little about yourself CodeBreaker… I like your username by the way, goes with the nature of the app.
CodeBreaker
I guess it does. Well, without giving too much of myself away until we are open to the next stage of conversation, you could say I write recipes for a living. Complicated ones.
Flyguy
Are you a chef then?
CodeBreaker
I can’t tell you that yet. Let’s just say I do cook up great recipes though, for success… well, that’s the aim. What do you do?
Flyguy
I help people navigate life after life.
CodeBreaker
What the hell does that even mean? *confused emoji*
Flyguy
You’ll just have to figure it out.
CodeBreaker
You’ll have to figure mine out too. I’m not a chef.
Flyguy
I like this game.
CodeBreaker
Me too. Are you a clairvoyant or a spiritist?
Flyguy
Oh, because of the life after life part? Eh, no.
CodeBreaker
Just tell me, or it’s going to annoy me all day.
Flyguy
You really are a little code breaker, aren’t you?
CodeBreaker
Who me? Never!
Over the next two hours, our conversation naturally flows as we open up about our fears, dreams, and childhood quirks, the food we like, and the places we like to visit, while still holding back some parts of ourselves because of the rules we agreed to when signing up for the app.
For the first time in weeks, my shoulders feel lighter, and maybe, just maybe, this could work out for me.
That really is a wildcard.