Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
He talks out loud as he types. “Hey, Grady. Is. Everything. All. Right. With. You. And. Your. Sister. Question mark.” He glances up at me. “Send.”
He plunks the phone back on the coffee table.
“He told me to piss off.”
Fuck. “He did?”
Drake grins, leaning back on the couch. "Hey, you're the one asking your big bro for dating advice. Now you’re coming off as desperate."
“Desperate? Fuck you. All I did was ask what you thought the problem might be.”
Drake puts a hand over his heart. "Ah, the trials and tribulations of the modern long-distance text-based romance. How tragic."
I laugh, feeling the tension from earlier melt away. "Yeah, yeah, mock all you want. Just remember, when you need help deciphering Daisy’s love for cat memes, I'll be here with my world-renowned meme expertise."
Drake raises his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. Now, let's get serious. What's your plan for getting Tess to text you back? I mean, dude, maybe you should just let it go. Find someone here. Wasn’t that the original plan?”
No, that was his original plan, and that plan failed miserably.
Case in point: he’s dating the one decent prospect he found for me.
I chuckle, shaking my head. "I think I'll start by sending her a bouquet of eggplant emoji. Subtle yet profound."
Drake snorts. "Ah, the language of love. You're a true poet, bro."
As we continue to roast each other I realize how lucky I am to have a brother like Drake. Someone who can always make me laugh, even in the midst of romantic turmoil.
“Know who we should call for advice?”
“Who?”
“Duke.”
“No. Hell no.” I laugh because the idea sounds hideous. “Over my dead body.”
“That can be arranged.”
“Dude. All I want is for some closure—if she truly wants nothin’ to do with me, I want to know so I can move on.”
But with any luck, Tess and I will be back to texting and flirting and—dare I hope, naked video chatting—like our usual goofy selves in no time.
CHAPTER 35
TESS
GHOSTED IN OCTOBER? HOW FESTIVE. BOO!
Drew: Hey, Tess! Long time no hear. Are you ghosting me, or did your phone decide to take a vacation? Everything alright?
Drew: Hey. Just checking in again. Did I…do something to offend you?
Drew: So listen. I don’t want to be weird or keep hounding you if you’re not interested, but now I’m getting worried everything isn’t okay?
I stare at the text messages Drew has sent me. There are a half dozen of them, and each one he sends has my heart breaking further.
I don’t know what to say.
Obviously.
But I can’t continue not saying anything at all. I owe it to him to explain why I’ve been so quiet, but no way can I tell him the truth.
Not all of it.
Not yet.
Tess: Hey, Drew! Sorry for the silence. No ghosting, I promise! Just got caught up in the chaos of life. You're not getting off the hook that easily. Ha ha.
Drew: Phew, thought I was about to be the star of a "How to Lose a Friend in 10 Messages" sequel. Life's chaos, huh
Tess: Ha ha, don't worry, you're not getting rid of me that easily. School has been stupid the past few days, and then my car decided to do a dramatic breakdown on the busiest street in town. So you know, just your typical comedy of errors.
Why am I lying?
God will strike me down for making up bullshit to this caring, sweet guy.
Ugh.
I hate myself, but he’s going to hate me more when he finds out the truth.
Drew: A dramatic car breakdown? Dang, what ended up being the problem???
Tess: Nothing serious—I, um, ran out of gas? Miranda came to my rescue, but it took hours, and the whole thing was a nightmare.
Drew: As long as you're not mad at me
Tess: Nah, you're in the clear, Drew. No secret grudges being held here. Just life being its usual unpredictable self.
I sound like a robot giving him scripted answers.
Drew: Glad to hear that! I was starting to think I accidentally offended you with my bare chest or something. So when can we officially declare war on the chaos and grab a coffee?
Tess: Ha. How are we going to grab coffee when I’m here and you’re there? Were you planning on coming home this weekend?
Drew: I wish. No, I was thinking it might be fun if we had a date—like an actual date. We could both go to a coffee shop, get something to drink, and sit and talk while we video chat?
WHY IS HE SO NICE?
Tess: That is such a cute idea. I’ll let you know. I’ve been crazy busy.
Drew: Ahh, gotcha. Well. Let me know.
I feel like I just kicked a puppy.
Tess: I will. I’d love to catch up, Drew. Thanks for understanding and being your awesome self.
Drew: Thanks for understanding and being my awesome self? Um, are you sure you’re alright? Nothing else is bothering you?