Page 53 of The Surprise
Huh?
“It’s too many metaphors.” She waves her hand. “The point is, if I’d let them sort things out before I got involved, I might have had a chance.”
From what I can tell, she had fifty years of chances that neither she or Jed took, but maybe she’s right. Maybe I don’t really understand that. “Back to the friend thing?”
“Let Beth settle things with her dad. Let her settle things with herself. Don’t give up on being in her life, but don’t push and try to date her. Can you do that?”
Not if I’m living in Houston, but I guess I still have a few weeks. “I think so.”
“Good.” She smiles and pats my back. Her grip’s surprisingly strong. “Good boy.”
I wish I didn’t feel like a dog right now.
“Ethan?”
I stand again. “Yeah?”
“I can already tell you’re a strong offensive player. You’ll be able to get out of that friend zone when it’s time.”
My hands are shaking by the time I finish unloading all the stuff and drive home. Mom and the girls have managed to gut their rooms, and it makes me pretty sad. But even with the long day it’s been, and even with trembling hands, I stare at my phone like an addict.
HOW ABOUT A DEAL?
I shoot the text off before I have time to think.
She doesn’t reply, of course. I’ve conditioned her to ignore me, clearly.
I’LL PROMISE TO GIVE UP ON DATING YOU.
Still nothing.
Amanda Saddler is a moron.
I brush my teeth, and then I plug in my phone. I can always circle back around tomorrow. Then my phone bings. I knock my lamp on the floor, I’m so excited to rip it off the charger.
Mom taps on my door. “Is everything alright?”
“Fine, fine,” I say. “Just tired and knocked the lamp over by accident.”
She opens the door and her head peeks around the corner. “I’m sorry I had you do all that. I didn’t know Amanda was going to ask you to do—”
I wave her off as nonchalantly as I can. I’m worried that I look like a junkie. “It’s fine, Mom. Really.” Steady eyes, Ethan. Steady. I force a smile.
“Are you constipated?” Mom opens the door further.
“Mom!”
“Okay, alright,” she mutters. “Geez. Let me know if you need anything.” She closes the door, finally.
AND?
That’s it. One word. I was super duper excited for a response, and it’s one single coordinating conjunction.
AND IN RETURN, YOU ACTUALLY RESPOND TO ME.
I DON’T UNDERSTAND.
WE’D BE. . .WHAT’S THE WORD? I KNOW THERE’S A WORD FOR THIS. OH, WAIT. I REMEMBERED IT. IT’S AN OLD WORD. A WEIRD WORD: FRIENDS.
