“Are you with Cara?” I ask, skipping over pleasantries. I don’t feel particularly pleasant that nowthis guy who is probably my age, if not younger, is watching her.A guy without a kid and a baby momma to deal with.
“No, she said she wouldn’t need me today since Lyra is sick,” he answers with a hint of accusation.
“Fuck.”
“Everything okay?”
“No,” I spit, hanging up.
Ilook to the table where Cara’s phone sits, buzzing with texts.My irritation hits new heights when I see the messages flashing across her lock screen.
THE best friend:Have you thought anymore about what I said?
THE best friend:I meant it.
THE best friend: I’ve missed you.While you were away and now. Why’d you have to go with your brother?
THE best friend:I want us to try again.We were good together.
What the hell?
I haven’t touched the phone. I’m just staring at it asmessage after messagepops up.I don’t know who ‘THE best friend’ is, but I have an idea. The thought thathe’s trying to get my girlpisses me off.Knowing they’ve been more than friendly makes it worse.
Never pictured myself as the jealous type, but I always have been with her.With all the crap I’ve been dealing with, I’m not exactly a picture of calm. Quite the opposite. I’m one step away from exploding.
Her ringing phonelights the fuse. His name and faceflashing on her screen throw on accelerant.
I know I shouldn’t answer. Even convinced myselfto let it go.
It stops ringing,but the clench of my jaw doesn’t loosen. Myhands remained locked tight into fists. Every muscle in my body feels tight enough to snap. But I didn’t answer it.
Then it starts ringing again, and all maturity and restraint fly right out the window.
I lay Lyra, who’s fallen back to sleep, on the sofa. I snatch the phone off the table and walk toward the bedroom, so I don’t wake her.
I tap the green icon, but I don’t say anything.
“Cara, why won’t you respond to my message?” he asks.And I feel like I’m boiling from the inside out. I still don’t say anything. “I know you sayyou just want to be friends, but you know how good we are together.I want to try again.This time we’re not high school kids. It will be different.”
“Ever occur to you that she doesn’twant you, asshole?” I growl out.
“Who is this? Where’s Cara?”
“Thisis her boyfriend,” I tell him. Even though she and Ihaven’t had a discussion about relationship status, I don’t hesitate. I don’t need a conversation. I’ve told her how I feel. I know how she feels. The words don’t need to be spoken. We’re together. Period.
Unless I’ve totally ruined that with my crap attitude and big mouth.
No.She’s mine. I’m not letting her run. Ihave some apologizing and groveling to do, but she’s not getting away from me. Not because I was a dick.
I’d be looking for her right now if I had someone to watch Lyra.I only just managed not to chase after her when she ran. I should’ve chased after her instead of falling asleep for two hours. But I couldn’t leave Lyra, and I thought she’d be backbefore time to leave for the show.Ithought I could apologize then when she was more receptive to hearing it. I didn’t thinkshe’drunoff. Not like that.
“I doubt that,”Daniel says with a scoff. “I’m her best friend. She’d tell me.What are you? Some roadie? I know her brother, man. One call,and you’ll be out of a job. Cara’s been through a lot. She doesn’t need some asshole hurting her.”
My teeth grind together. Iwork to find some modicum of composure. It’s a losing battle, but I still try.
“First, maybe she didn’t tell you because you’re blowing up her phone, pressuring her for a relationship she’s obviously told you she doesn’t want.Second, you don’t know crap about DaneorCara.If you did, then, like I said, you’d know about me.” I start to end the conversation by telling him to lose her number but think better of it. I’m already in the doghouse. I don’t need to dig deeper.“She’swith me. If you’re her friend, respectthat and respect her when she tells you no.”
I hang up the call before I say anything else.Just answering the phone alone probably made my problems so much worse.
