Jackass: And you say I’m stubborn
ME: No, I say you’re a jackass. There’s a difference.
Jackass: Haha
I smiled, happy to be talking to Chase. We’d weirdly enough become friends over the past few months. I’d finally called him when I’d gotten into Nashville and cried as I told him everything that had happened. He listened quietly and told me Maddox had made the right choice. I wanted to hate him, expecting him to say he was stupid, but he hadn’t.
ME: I’m beat. I’ll talk more tomorrow, loser.
Jackass: Always with such caring words there. Be safe, brat.
ME: Night, Chase.
Jackass: Night.
I smiled as I snuggled down into the pillows. They’d been the first extravagant purchase I made after my first paycheck. I could live in a tiny apartment where I basically showered and cooked my meals in the same space, but I needed good bedding. Placing the noodles on the nightstand, I pulled the covers over my head and fell asleep, the card still burning in my pocket.
* * *
The sun was setting when I managed to roll out of bed. Working through the night was an odd experience, but I started to crave it. I finally had a night off from both places, and a night in my PJs watching reruns sounded like a dream come true.
I wouldn’t admit it was because I was too sad to have friends. Nope.
Taking a quick shower, I wrapped my hair in a towel and pulled on clean clothes. The one nice perk at the laundromat was unlimited washing for all of my things. It was one I took full advantage of. There was something luxurious about having clean towels whenever I wanted them.
Padding a couple of steps into the kitchen, I pulled out the frozen pizza and placed it in the toaster oven. While it cooked, I sat at my rickety table, opening the second-hand laptop I’d purchased last month.
The first thing I did was sign into the secure server and checked for any messages. When I saw the red light, my smile spread across my face.
It had taken me a while to remember I could communicate with people this way. It was just another reminder of what the trauma had stolen and the comfort bubble I’d been in with Maddox. I hadn’t needed to think, so I hadn’t.
I’d been hesitant about messaging him, but I needed to set something right. I didn’t hate him, not by a long shot.
MadDog:Hey, @Rosebud. I saw a sunset today that made me think of you. I miss you, Princess.
Rosebud:@MadDog, was it ugly then?
MadDog:Ha, ha. How’s your day? You just getting up?
Rosebud:Yeah. Long night.
We kept our lives vague, knowing it wouldn’t be good for either of us if we overthought it. Instead, we rekindled our friendship, starting from scratch. Maddox and I had never had a traditional relationship, so it made sense not to try.
MadDog:You doing okay?
Rosebud: I’m getting there. I miss you too.
MadDog: I know I’m not supposed to make promises….
Rosebud:Don’t. It’s too dangerous to hope.
MadDog: Okay
Rosebud: I talked to a girl at work.
MadDog: Oh? Gonna try to make a friend.
Rosebud: Yeah. I think so. You?