Chapter 72
Mel
Leaving my parents. Do you want me to pick something up on my way?
Rhys
Alfie is still here. I’m sorry.
Mel
I figured he would be. Didn’t expect you to kick him out
I can get enough for him, too. Any dietary restrictions?
Rhys
That wasn’t what I meant. We kissed.
Mel
Ok
Where do you want me to pick food up from?
Mel didn’t get a response to their last text right away. They tried to think of what would be the best option on the way over to Rhys’s apartment. There were several fast food places, and a few others which offered take out. They pulled into a parking lot that held three different places.
Rhys
You aren’t upset with me?
Mel
Why would I be? I already said I don’t expect exclusivity
Unless you want that.
But if you want to be with him instead of me, I’ll accept that and just go home
Rhys
You make it sound like you were just a stopover
Mel
And you make it sound like that would make you the bad guy. Is that what you want me to say, Rhys?
It’s just life. Sometimes we don’t know what we want until we have it.
I certainly never thought I’d want a cocky catcher in my life.
But it turns out he’s a pretty great guy, sweet, and very good with my teenage siblings.
Who are at our parents’ tonight. I’m getting food. Should I bring some over, and all three of us can get on the same page.
or just get enough for myself and go home?
Rhys
Alfie really likes the kung pao chicken from the Chinese place on Clover
Mel
I’m sitting right outside of there now. What do you like?
Rhys
I’m good with pretty much anything.
That didn’t answer their question, but pointing that out felt like a losing battle. They’d let it go and order several items. This place had a nice sampler option. They ordered one of those as well as the kung pao and their favorite, chicken and broccoli.
They picked that up then headed over to Rhys’s apartment. They knocked on the door and waited for Rhys to open it.
They didn’t have to wait long. Except it wasn’t Rhys who stood in the doorway. The dip in Mel’s stomach was just a hunger pang. Surely.
“He is in the bathroom,” Alfie said, “pretending to not be freaking out you are going to hate him. I have never seen him this way about another person.”
“Just you?” Mel held the food out to him.
Alfie shook his head. “Not even me. He really likes you.”
“He loves you,” Mel shot back. “You should have seen the way he was last night, sure you hated him, because you would not even speak to him.”
Alfie glanced away from them and ran a hand through his hair.
His cheeks appeared to be a little darker when he looked at them.
He kept his gaze lowered. “I could not figure out what to say, how to say it so I would not ruin the best friendship I have had in years. I could never hate him, though. He is so much better than he will let himself believe.”
“You see that as well?”
Alfie ran a hand through his dark curls. “Of course I do. I do not understand it. He always seems to have so much confidence. Especially when he’s playing. But, off the field…”
“What are you two whispering about? I hope it’s me.”
Mel met Alfie’s eyes before turning to face Rhys, making a show of rolling their eyes. “Because you are the only thing worth talking about.” They thought he would laugh. He didn’t, and Mel worried they’d touched on a wound they hadn’t meant to.
Mel stepped past Alfie and grinned at Rhys. At least they hoped it came off as a grin. “Do you want to eat before the food gets cold? Then maybe we can talk.”