Chapter Six Weeks Gone
Six Weeks Gone
CARTER
Subject: Timing.
Did you purposely send me those pictures while I was in study hours with Erica?
Sincerely,
Carter
Subject: Re: Timing.
What? What pictures?
Confused,
Arizona
Subject: Re: Re: Timing.
You know exactly what pictures I’m talking about, Ari…You just sent them an hour ago.
For the record, I’m not complaining. In fact, they’re currently making me reconsider waiting one hundred and twenty six days for my flight to see you.
Talk to you later tonight.
Sincerely (Aroused),
Carter
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Timing.
Oh, I see…Perhaps, you’re referring to my naked pictures? :-)
I don’t think I would purposely send them during your study hours with Erica. I mean, especially since you told me the exact time that you two normally get together during the week. I wouldn’t ever want to interrupt that. :-)
One hundred and twenty *five* days, Carter. How many times do we have to go through this?
Can’t wait.
Sincerely (Wishing You Could Come Sooner),
Arizona
Dear Carter (JOSH!)
Do you really think that I don’t know Carter’s handwriting after all these years?
Do you really think he would EVER send me a letter that said: “I’m so glad I listened to Josh about you.
He was so right about me fucking you one good time and [you] falling back in love with [me].
That’s also why Josh will forever be my number one.
Because you had a very long and selfish moment, but Josh has ALWAYS been loyal”? ?!!
Grow the hell up!
And learn how to write a proper sentence. (Aren’t you in law school?)
Arizona
Dear Arizona (PAIN IN MY ASS!)
Of course I’m aware that you know Carter’s handwriting, but since we shouldn’t waste time discussing things you know, here are some things that you don’t: Your never-ending phone calls and Skype sessions (mostly your loud ass laughter and incessant babbling about absolutely nothing: “Oh my god, Carter…I miss you so much, Carter…This distance is killing me every day”) have kept me up every damn night for WEEKS.
Is it too much for the two of you to go back to only letter writing and emails?
I think I liked you better when you weren’t talking to him.
You grow up first.
I will definitely learn how to write a proper sentence—from someone who doesn’t start her own sentences with the word “And”.
Josh
Subject: Skype App.
Dear Arizona,
I’m not sure what could’ve happened to my app between last night and today, but it’s not working. At all. I can’t even re-install it for some reason. I won’t be able to have my laptop looked at until next week, but I’ll use Josh’s computer to reach you tonight.
Sincerely,
Carter
Subject: Re: Skype App.
BAHAHAHAHA!!!
Arizona
I closed Ari’s latest email and checked the tracking on the most recent package I’d shipped. On nights like tonight, it was if she’d never left the beach, as if she was still seconds away from walking through my front door.
Over the past few weeks, a new, comforting routine had developed between us.
Instead of our usual weekend meet ups, there were early morning emails.
Instead of lengthy text messages, there were lengthy picture threads: She sent me her wet and rainy coasts in exchange for white sanded beaches, and I gave her glimpses of times with Josh and Nicole while she showed me random karaoke sessions with her roommate.
We talked for hours every night, never running out of things to say. And despite the fact that we both had tons of work to do, we never missed a day.
After confirming that my gift would definitely get to her this weekend, I headed downstairs.
“Have you talked to your wife tonight?” Josh asked as I stepped in front of the TV. “If so, bravo. I barely heard your conversation this time.”
“You’ve gone from ‘girlfriend’ to wife now?”
“Might as well.” He groaned. “I doubt you’ll ever marry, let alone date anyone else.”
I rolled my eyes. “I need your laptop.”
“What for?”
“You know what the hell for.” I reached for it. “My Skype app mysteriously stopped working today. Any idea how the fuck that happened?”
“No, but I have told you that random things happen in this house.” He smirked. “I told you that a long time ago.”
“Give me the damn computer, Josh.”
Laughing, he reluctantly handed it to me. “I swear I wasn’t trying to completely kill your Skype app. I was just trying to ruin it so you’d never be able to use it again.”
“Did you actually hear what the fuck you just said?”
“I did.” He laughed even harder. “Wait, before you go back upstairs. I need your advice on something.”
“Yes, your taste in clothes is terrible. Is that it?”
“No.” He rolled his eyes. “I think—” He paused. “I think I might actually like someone. More than just a normal ‘like,’ too.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. “You’re not really my type.”
“Seriously?” He crossed his arms. “Did I ever get sarcastic with you when you were moping about Arizona? When you were crying like a goddamn child when every woman on this beach was willing to give her pussy to you and you were too blind to see it?”
“That’s not how that happened.” I refused to entertain his warped memories any further. “Okay, you like someone. Does this someone have a name?”
“She doesn’t,” he said. “That’s her best quality. However, I don’t think she’s aware that I actually like her beyond what’s currently happening. There’s only so much more of this ‘just friends’ shit I can take, you know? I’m not you.”
“Is there a question coming?” I asked. “Or is this an emotional venting session?”
“I need your advice on helping me figure out how to get away from the friend zone. Preferably by the end of the week, this month at the latest. We can discuss it Saturday.” He grabbed a pair of earplugs and stuck one in his ear. “Okay. I’ve told you what’s up. You can go now.”
“You don’t want my advice right now?”
“Not while I think I can actually get some sleep. I would like to attempt this before you get on Skype.” He put the other plug in his ear and rolled over on the couch.
I was tempted to sit in the kitchen, to pay him back for ruining my app, but I decided against it. I hit the lights and headed back up to my room, opening the laptop at the very second Ari’s call came through.
“Hey,” I said.
“Hey.” She smiled. “How long do you think you can stay up tonight?”
“As long as you need me to.”
“Good,” she said, staring into the camera. “I’ve had a pretty long day.”
“Worse than last Thursday?”
“Way worse than last Thursday.” She sighed. “The lead chef humiliated me in front of everyone. Even though it was the only time I’d ever been late, he said he was giving me an automatic zero grade for the day.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Her lips curved into a small, sexy smile.
“Two hours later, he came back to the kitchen and apologized. He said he was just temporarily disappointed in me, but he still thought I was the best in the class. He also offered to give me two extra exempt days for the semester since I always work so hard.”
“Are you planning to use those extra days to come home?”
“Not exactly.” Her smile widened. “I’ll use them the same week you come here. That way, I can actually meet you at the airport.”
“How many days do we have left again?”
“Way too many.”