Truth be told, I had to hunt Xander down on social media and present him with my plan, and even then, he didn’t want to help me out. I had to bribe him with a year’s worth of free oil changes before he’d give me Charlotte’s phone number. I’d originally asked him to watch Nova, but he’s heading out of town today and couldn’t. Or so he says.
Travis holds his hands up innocently at me, brows raised. “Okay, fuck. Sorry. I do have to get dressed and take her potty first.”
“Fine. Hurry up.”
This is starting out just fucking swimmingly.
35
TRAVIS
Me: What the fuck is going on, Xander?
Xander: Good morning to you too. Not a clue. What you mean, dude?
Me: I am currently in the car with Mateo on our way to the pass to go snowboarding!
Glancing over at Mateo, he’s focused on the road as he drives. He’s got on a pair of black shades, and he’s dressed comfy in sweats and a t-shirt. We took his car on this little last-minute excursion, and it smells like him. I’m practically salivating.
We’ve been on the road for about an hour now. Neither of us have spoken, despite me having way too many questions. Hence why I texted Xander to try to get to the bottom of this.
My phone buzzes in my hand, my eyes rolling as I take in the response from Xander on my screen.
Xander: Hell yeah. That sounds dope. Have fun!
Me: I don’t fucking think so, Xander. SPILL!
He sends a gif of a little girl shrugging, looking innocent.
Xander: I don’t know what you mean.
Me: Why’d you give Mateo Charlotte’s number? And since when are you and Mateo on speaking terms? Why is he taking me snowboarding? I NEED ANSWERS!
Xander: 1. He asked for it. 2. *shrugging emoji* 3. Maybe because snowboarding is fun and you love it? I don’t have your answers. Well, I do. But I won’t be giving them to you. In fact, I’m not responding to you anymore. Have fun. Keep an open mind. Bye!
Audibly grumbling, I lock my screen, tucking the phone back into my hoodie pocket before reaching for the energy drink Mateo got me in the cup holder.
“What the fuck’s the matter with you?”
His voice startles me, my head whipping to the side. “Nothing. Just… I didn’t realize you liked snowboarding.”
“I don’t.”
“What? You don’t?” I balk.
He reaches over, turning the music down a little. “I guess it’s not that I don’t. I’ve just never done it, nor did it seem of interest to me.”
I’m so confused. “Then why are we going?”
“Because you like it.” The way he says it, so simply put, like it’s the most obvious answer in the world. Like it clears up all my confusion.
It doesn’t. It just gives me more questions.
“How do you know that?” As soon as the words leave my mouth, it hits me. Holding up my hand, I say, “Wait, let me guess… Xander.”
Mateo glances at me from above his sunglasses before returning his attention to the road. “No,cariño. Don’t you remember the night of the engagement party, you told me that you love going but you haven’t been able to go this year with everything that happened with Nathaniel and moving, and how the season is almost over.”
Holy shit.
