4. River #2
“Nothing. We talked a bit at the airport bar and at the terminal, then I accidentally got high and fell asleep on the plane. Truly, dude, I have no idea what was in those gummies because they hit me hard. The last thing I remember really is telling her that she’s just too young for me.”
“Did you get her number?”
“Nope.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound like you.”
“I did get her last name, so I suppose I could have Margot find her for me,” I joke, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my students, it's that high school girls know how to find anyone on social media. I lean forward on my elbows and move my empty plate to the side. “I liked her. But I think I’m finally ready for more, and what’s the likelihood that a twenty-one-year-old is too? ”
“This is good. This is growth. I am proud of you.” He smiles, and I can see it all over his face that he means it.
“Oh, fuck off. I swear this shit’s your fault.”
He furrows his brow. “What exactly did I do?”
“You had to go falling in love. I was immune to all this bullshit until I saw you and Ellie.”
“I’ve been married before. You didn’t have these thoughts about settling down before?”
“No, Bianca lowkey sucked,” I pause and dart my eyes upward, “may she rest in peace,” I say putting my hands together as if I’m praying. “Let me rephrase, she sucked for you. You sucked for each other? I don’t know. You just seem so much happier with Ellie and I want that.”
He sighs. “Well, I agree it’s less likely that she’s ready for that at her age, but it’s not impossible.
Or maybe you could do this thing called dating for a few years, and then, perhaps, when she’s twenty-five, she’ll be ready.
If you two are compatible.” My thoughts drift back to those stunning blue eyes and her smile and her curves and those golden waves that fell all around her tanned skin.
She was gorgeous as hell, and I know I didn’t imagine a spark.
A year ago, I would have already slept with her by now if her signals were any indication.
“You look exhausted. You want me to give you a lift home? Or are you staying?” he asks, and while the urge is strong to pass out in the nearest bed possible, which would be in my brother’s guest room, I was ready to be home after a week away.
I yawn and get up to rinse my dishes and put them in the dishwasher. “I can get an Uber.”
“Stop it, you live fifteen minutes away. Let me just tell Ellie.”
“Tell Ellie what?” My soon-to-be sister-in-law enters the room wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants because, even during early August in Maryland, when the low temperature is eighty degrees, she’s somehow always cold.
“I’m going to take River home. Can you wrangle SJ off his game at eleven?
” he asks as he pulls her into his arms and presses a kiss to her nose.
“Don’t fall asleep either while I’m gone,” he murmurs against her cheek before pressing a trail of kisses down her face.
I never would have thought my brother would be into public displays of affection, but he is always touching Ellie in some way.
Almost unashamedly so. For someone who’s had a cooler and more stoic personality for most of his life, it’s amazing to see how warm Ellie has made him.
She giggles before turning her gaze to me. “How was North Carolina?”
“Good, the team is looking great. I think we have a great season ahead.” I make my way toward them and pull her in for a hug.
“I told Isles I’d come over tomorrow and you can tell me all about the girl you want to set me up with.
” Even as I say this, Sloane’s face flashes through my mind, and again, I think about tracking her down on social media.
Ellie taps her fingertips together conspiratorially and gives me a cheeky grin. “Perfect. I think you’ll really like this one.”
“You’ve said this before,” I tell her as I grab my backpack from where I dropped it.
“You slept with one of them!” she counters.
“Two, actually. But, Elianna,” I say with an emphasis on her name, because I know she hates it, “we’ve been through this. One does not always have anything to do with the other.” Ellie lets out a dramatic sigh and narrows her eyes.
“Besides, he may not be interested. He likes someone.” My brother interjects.
“What?!” She looks up at Rowan and then at me. “What!” I can see the excitement in her eyes, and when the time comes, I know Ellie will be the happiest for me that I found someone.
I groan. “Do you have to tell her everything?”
“Don’t ask questions you already know the answer to. You’re lucky I didn’t text her in real time as you were telling me.” He scoffs before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
“Wait,” Ellie says excitedly while bouncing on her toes, “I want to know more about this. Should I hold off on setting you up?”
“There’s nothing to know. We can talk about it tomorrow.”
Twenty minutes later, I’m back at my house, and after brushing my teeth, I practically collapse on my bed as the fatigue of the past week sets in.
I turn on the television, in preparation for sleep in the next thirty seconds, when I realize my phone is almost dead, and I need to charge it.
I unzip my backpack, and, when I reach inside to grab it, I pull out a piece of paper folded in half.
I frown in confusion, wondering why I’d have a sleeve of what looks like loose-leaf paper.
I can’t even stop the excitement that courses through me when I see Sloane’s name and the ten numbers written neatly beneath it. My previous exhaustion is long forgotten as I type the number into my phone. I freeze momentarily, a list of questions running through my mind one after the other.
Maybe it’s too late to text her?
Should I text her at all?
You’ve been thinking about her since you left the airport. If you don’t now, you will the second you have a few drinks.
Fuck it.
I type out a message and my thumb hovers over the send button briefly before I click it.
Me:
So did you go through my stuff when you were sliding your number into my backpack?
Sloane:
I’m sorry, who is this?
I panic briefly before realizing that she’s definitely playing with me after confirming very carefully that I typed the number in correctly, twice.
Me:
Did you give your number out to a lot of people today?
Sloane:
Still doesn’t answer my question.
Me:
You didn’t answer mine either
Sloane:
Guess we’re at a standstill
I narrow my eyes at my screen, not wanting to give in first, but on the off chance she’s really not sure, I don’t want her to feel uneasy.
Me:
It’s River.
The bubbles pop up, indicating that she’s typing before they disappear. They appear and then disappear again before one word pops up on my screen that causes a chuckle to leave me.
Sloane:
Who?
Me:
Cute.
Sloane:
Lol, hi. I was wondering if I’d hear from you tonight.
Me:
Thinking about me?
Sloane:
Maybe. Mostly just wondering if you made it home okay. I know you were a little out of sorts haha
Me:
I did, thanks. How about you? Settled into your family’s house?
Sloane:
I am. Catching up with my cousin with some very strong margaritas.
Me:
Oh? Did you go out?
Sloane:
God no. I am exhausted. We’re just on her patio.
Me:
Well, I don’t want to interrupt. I’m pretty tired as well, and I should probably get some sleep. I have to go in to school kind of early.
Sloane:
You’re not interrupting! But it’s late. We can talk tomorrow.
I’m about to respond when I see her typing again, and she sends another text.
Sloane:
I’m glad you texted.