Earlier tonight we bonded over my favorite podcast that she’s also a big fan of. When we got to the discussion of the Face-lift Fuckboy episode, I had to hold back from spoiling it because she hadn’t listened to that one yet. I gave her my cell so she could let me know when she finished it.
My heart is a little lighter from this interaction. Maybe Taylor and I will stay friends after tonight or this winter or whenever I leave here. I think she’d get along great with my bestie, Nicole too. Speaking of which…
Grace: You up?
I put the cell phone down long enough to strip out of my clothes and wash my face. Slipping under the covers naked, I check to see if she’s responded.
Nicole: I am now. Are you okay?
Grace: I’m fine.
Now I feel bad for waking her up. I just miss her right now.
Grace: How are the boys?
Nicole sends me a flurry of fire emojis.
I send her a heart.
Nicole: Having fun skiing? Please tell me you found some hot, big-dicked ski instructor to keep you warm at night.
Grace: Not exactly.
Nicole: Boo. Try harder.
I bite my lip, debating on how much to even say. Then my FaceTime rings and it’s her.
“I’m too tired to text.” Her hair’s an absolute mess on her head and she’s in bed, her eyes puffy and sleepy. “What kind of room is that? Where are you?”
“At a cabin.”
“A cabin in the mountains?”
“No, a cabin on Mars.”
She laughs, and I hear one of her guys mumble something. A large, veiny forearm shows up on the screen. “Who’s that?” they ask, and I recognize the voice as Landon’s.
“It’s Gracie, go back to sleep.”
I hold my breath, hoping she doesn’t tell them anything that could get back to Mason. Landon and Kerrington are his best friends and they’re all protective of me. It’s like I have an army of cockblockers with only Nicole on my side when I’m trying to get some action.
“Hey, Grace.”
“Hi, Landon.”
“Let me see her.” Kerrington takes the phone. He swipes a hand down his face and groans from being woken up. “You okay, babe?”
“Yes. I just wanted to talk to Nicole.”
“This late at night?” He squints at me. “Where even are you?”
“Don’t worry about it, give the phone back to Nicole.”
He hands it over and she climbs out of bed. “I’ll be right back,” she tells them. The screen jiggles as she walks out of their bedroom and into the kitchen. “Okay. It’s just me now.”
For some reason, I want to cry. I shouldn’t have bugged her like this, but she’s the only friend I have who understands the life I’m trapped in. She got her happy ever after and… I have no idea what it’s going to take to find mine.
“I’m just lonely,” I say, my voice cracking.
