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Evie
I wake to the violent vibrating of my phone on the bedside table. With sleep in my eyes, I fumble for the annoying fucking device. Once in my grip, I rip it from the charging cord and answer the call, not bothering to check the caller’s ID.
“What the hell do you want?”
“Woah, someone is awfully chipper this morning.”
I roll my eyes at the sound of my brother’s voice. Throwing my arm over my eyes to protect them from the assault of the morning sun, I say, “Miles, I don’t want to repeat myself.”
“Fine, fine,” he says, but I can still hear the amusement in his voice. “I’m calling to see if you want to grab lunch together today. It feels like I haven’t seen you much recently.”
“It’s probably because you’ve been spending a lot of time with this Cindy I’ve heard very little about,” I counter. “Was this not something you could’ve texted me instead of calling at the ass crack of dawn?”
“Oh, I didn’t even realize the time,” he says. “Time seems to be getting away from me lately.”
I throw my arm off my eyes, squinting under the harsh morning sunlight. “Okay, lunch, got it. Can I go back to sleep now?”
He laughs. “Yes, sorry. Meet me at your Bluebird Co. at midday. My treat.”
“Wonderful.” I roll my eyes. “I’ll see you then.”
I don’t wait for his response before I hang up the call, toss the phone beside me on the bunched-up duvet around my waist, and fall right back to sleep.
***
I breathe in the cool air, thankful that the weather is finally starting to cool down. Gone is the humidity, now replaced with a fresh breeze that feels cold against the exposed skin of my arms. I didn’t think about bringing a light jacket with me just in case the weather is cool, but I don’t mind. I’m quite enjoying the fresh air as I walk across campus to meet Miles for brunch. My core still aches from how hard Jaylen fucked me two days ago.
He really meant it when he said the pain he would cause me would remind me of him.
Miles is such a nuisance for calling me at 6 a.m., probably on his way home from seeing Cindy. He’s been dating her for a few months now, but I am yet to meet her or even see a damn photo. For all I know, she could be fake, but I doubt that. Miles is popular with the ladies, so she’s more than likely real, but he just doesn’t want to show her off yet.
Moving around a couple my age walking a large fully black German Shepherd along the sidewalk, I pull out my phone and tap on Kale’s number. After what happened at the game on Saturday, I’ve been meaning to send him a text to see if he’s doing okay. Well, as good as one can with a broken ankle. I’ve been a little distracted by the events that unfolded in the locker room with Jaylen but now seems like a good time to send a quick message while I have the chance.
Evie: Hey! I’m sorry it has taken me this long to message,
but I hope you’re doing okay. It’s terrible what happened,
so I hope you recover quickly.
It doesn’t take long for Kale to respond once I hit send. I guess being on bed rest with a broken ankle will do that to you.
Kale: Hey, you. I’m happy to hear from you!
I apologize I couldn't take you out after the game.
I don’t know when I’ll be back in Pullman since
I’ll be out of action for the next few months, but I
hope to see you in the future if you’re down.
I smile. Kale is a sweet guy, but after the way Jaylen reacted to him wanting to take me out for drinks, going so far as to snap his fucking ankle, maybe it’s for the best that I don’t see him. But I could see myself being friends with him because he seems nice and genuine, which is something I look for in my friends.
Evie: I would love that. Get well soon!
When the coffee shop comes into view, I hoist my tote bag up higher on my shoulder and walk inside. The cold air blasting from the air conditioner above the door makes me shiver. It doesn’t take me long to find Miles in the busy shop sitting at a table in the back corner by the front windows. He’s looking outside, his mind clearly elsewhere. I can tell when he’s got a faraway look in his eyes because they glaze over and twitch slightly.
Walking through the crowd of people lingering by the front counter, I make my way to the table and sit across from Miles in the empty seat. There is an iced vanilla latte alongside a plate of avocado toast—my favorite.
