Page 106 of The Doctors Will See You Now

Me: No, Thatch. I’m not on the booze. And I’d appreciate if you didn’t go spreading that around the medical community.

Thatch: I wouldn’t worry too much about me ruining your rep, bro. I’m not into torpedoing already sinking ships.

Me: Fuck you.

Thatch: Aw, I love you too.

Kline: Maybe he means a psychologist. He did have all of that emotional trauma from watching his parents bang growing up.

Me: You too? Are there any adults in this message?

Wes: I haven’t said anything.

Me: You’re my new favorite, Wes.

Wes: I mean…I was thinking it. I just didn’t say it.

Me: Screw you guys.

Kline: A meeting you say?

Me: Yes. With the three of you.

Thatch: I thought you hated us?

Me: I could be persuaded to change my mind…with a meeting.

Kline: I’m free tomorrow morning.

Wes: So am I. And I’m in the city tomorrow.

Me: Thatch?

…

Me: Thatch…

Kline: You know what he wants. Just do it.

Me: Sigh. I love you, mighty Thatch warrior. Your seed is the strongest in the land.

Wes: You must really want this meeting.

Thatch: My office, 8 a.m., fools. Cassie and I have a lunch bang that I don’t want to be late for.

Ignoring his propensity for oversharing and refusing to engage, I left them with a simple agreement and backed out of the message.

Me: See you then.

Scrolling through my contacts to Melody’s number, I hit send and listened as the call rolled to voice mail one more time.

Frustration creased the corners of my eyes, and I rested my head on the wall behind me. Her lack of response had the irrational side of my brain threatening to go haywire. Over the past few weeks, I’d found that even a single night without Melody lying beside me messed up my sleep pattern.

I wanted her here, with me, and quite frankly, I wanted it every night.

I have to convince her to move in with me. Another fight for another day, I mused.

But for now, after a long day, I wanted nothing more than to sink myself into Melody and fall fast asleep, but thanks to her disappearing act, the latter would have to do.