“What’s wrong?” Teddy asked.
“That was a damn romantic letter,” Brian added.
“I know, but…I’m just not sure about him or anything anymore. He wrote that letter, sure, but what if he’s just confused and doesn’t really love me? I’m afraid to find out.”
“Uh oh,” Teddy said. “You need a drink, a little liquid courage to call him.”
“I don’t know…”
A waitress walked up.
“Two pitchers of beer and a vegetarian pizza, large.” Teddy said to the waitress then turned to me. “That okay with you?”
I nodded. The waitress left. Glancing outside at all the people walking by
the front of the restaurant, I longed to be with Austin. Teddy and Brian were okay, but I wanted the man who loved me, the amazing man I loved back.
The waitress returned with two pitchers of beer, which I thought was way too much for three people until I saw Teddy and Brian both down a glass quickly.
Before the food arrived, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. Austin! I tapped the screen and put it to my ear.
“Austin?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for you to call me.”
“I’m sorry. I saw your letter, and I don’t know what to say. Did you get kicked off the team?”
“Coach isn’t happy, but I don’t think he can throw me off the team. Whether or not he helps me get into the pros is another matter entirely.”
“We’re going to be okay,” I said confidently. “I know it.”
“Me too. Where you at? Home?”
“No, I’m at Marticello's with Teddy and Brian. They’re giving me moral support and advice.”
“Ah, like they did for me last night. Tell them I said hey.”
“Austin says hey.”
“Hey, Austin,” they said in unison.
“You want to come join us?”
“No. I’m not really in the mood to be in public right now.”
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah. Can you come over after you guys are down there?”
“Yeah. I’d like to see you. We should talk.”
“I’ll see you soon,” he said.
“Bye, Austin.”
I ended the call, wishing the pizza would hurry the hell up.
“He loves you,” Teddy said.