“Oh, do you need me to come over?” he asks.
“Victor, I don’t need you to come over after every job. Besides, you live like a million hours away,” I tell him.
“As your best friend, it’s my duty to ask. Even if coming over is a bit unreasonable.”
My smile widens, and I let out a small laugh.
“Tell me about her. Him?”
“A female Omega, she’s adorable, just starting college on her own, so when she started noticing some symptoms, she reached out. She’s got a supportive family, but they’re not nearby. Doesn’t have anyone to help her out right now.”
“Well, now she has the best,” Victor teases.
My fingers rub on his shirt beneath my blankets, and I can’t help but think that he’s way better than I am. We’ve been best friends since we were in our early teens. My foster family at the time sent me to the same school he was in, but it didn’t last long. They had to move out of state, and I couldn’t go, so I was shipped elsewhere. During those six months at the same school, Vic and I bonded as best friends and never lost touch. However, it’s probably been a year since I’ve seen him.
“Pretty sure you’re the best,” I finally retort.
He laughs, and I find myself laughing along, just out of desire to join him.
“How are you doing?” I divert attention away from me.
“I’m good, but I’m about to be even better.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“Well, I just got news,” he pauses for dramatic effect, “that I’m being transferred to a new location!”
I’m confused, “I thought you liked where you are.”
“I do, it’s great here, but where I’m going is going to be even better.”
My heart breaks a little. I’m worried he’s going to go even further away than he is now. Right now, it’s a 20-hour drive to him, so we don’t see each other much more than once a year. If he moves any further, it’s going to be even harder. I don’t want to make him feel bad, though, so I try to mask my fear.
“Wow! That’s great. I’m glad you’re so excited.”
“Want to know where I’m going?” he teases.
No, not really.
“Yeah, tell me!”
“I’m moving to Blackford.”
Blackford? As in, my city Blackford? A giddy feeling starts in my chest, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself. There are other cities with that name, too.
“Oh, wow! So, like…myBlackford?” I ask tentatively.
Vic laughs, “Yes!YourBlackford! I’m moving to the same city as you.”
My body is exhausted and I’m so damn lonely, and those are the two excuses I’m going to use for the tears that now burst out of me. I start sobbing like an idiot on the phone.
“Oh, Josie, are you okay? Do… do you want me not to move there?” He sounds so unsure.
“No! I mean, I do want you to, I’m just…” I can’t finish the sentence, I’m hiccupping and trying to calm my emotions with deep breaths.
“Me too, Josie Girl, me too.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d say he sounds a little choked up, too. I force a deep breath, working my emotions down so I can have a rational conversation. God, I miss him.
