What must have happened to make that one of the things he wants most in life? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to be alone. I’ve just never felt unwanted. My family has always shown me how loved I am. They are doing it now by letting me get over the bullshit that chased me away from home. Even if I was against it at first, they made the best possible decision they could for my well-being. It’s definitely proving to be a good one.
“I think you’re doing a pretty damn good job of taking care of yourself. You have a job, a car, and a friend like me.” Winking at him, I smile so he knows the last part is a joke.
“It would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to constantly take care of my dad. It’s like he’s the kid and I’m the parent. I’m so tired of being the adult.”
“Randall,” I reach over and take his hand in mine. “I’m so sorry. No child should have to take on the role of parent. What happened?”
He twines his fingers with mine. The feeling ofrightnessscares me, but I don’t pull away. “I don’t really want to get into tonight. Sorry I brought it up.”
“It’s okay. I completely understand.” I give his hand a gentle squeeze. “Whenever you are ready to lift that burden off your chest, I’ll be here. That’s what friends are for.”
His face falls for a split second and a grin appears just as quickly. “Exactly. I’m notjustyour friend… I’m pretty sure I’m at bestie level.”
Rolling my eyes, I laugh. “If you say so.”
“I do, and you can’t take it back.” The playful glint is back in his eyes, and I hope nothing ever takes it away. If our friendship keeps it there then I’ll do my best to make sure he never loses it. He lifts our bound hands toward the sky. “You see those stars right there? That’s the big dipper.”
That’s one of the few constellations I actually know, but I play along. Anything to keep that smile on his face. “You realize it’s kind of hard to see when we’re spinning, right?”
He lifts his feet off the ground and ducks under the bar until he’s in the same space as I am. Putting his feet back on the ground, he stops the merry go round from going any further. “Is that better?”
“Much,” I whisper, scared to disrupt the closeness between us now. No matter how much I tell myself this boy is off limits, I know I’m going to fall for him. We’re on the same wavelength whether he knows it or not. The question now is do I keep fighting it, or give in?
We spend the rest of the night talking about everything and nothing. It’s almost midnight when I get into my car and try to dampen the elation from spending time with Randall. The one person I’m beginning to feel like I can be myself around. That I don’t have to put on a mask around.
One last wave through my window, and I turn the car on. There’s no doubt who will be playing a leading role in my dreams tonight.
Eight
Randall
Memories of Amelia’shand in mine plague my thoughts for days after our dinner. We’ve talked here and there. It’s mostly been memes sent back and forth. But… we haven’t seen each other since then. Our schedules haven’t lined up and I’m getting antsy. Being around her is so easy. With her, I can forget that my mom left me and my dad is a drunk. She makes my life better even over text messages. My friends haven’t been able to pull as many smiles, or genuine laughs, from me as she has.
My lunch breaks have consisted of me sending her as many laugh out loud funny memes as I possibly can before having to head back to work. My fingers are on the texting icon when my phone rings, and nearly falls out of my hand.
“I was just about to text you,” I say as I answer the call.
“No more cat memes. I can’t even with all the cute and funny,” she laughs.
Shrugging, even though she can’t see me, I respond. “And now I know your weakness. What’s up? You usually don’t call on your lunch break.”
“What time do you get off work?” Her voice is high and excited.
“Six, today. Why?”
“Meet me at my house. We’re going out tonight.”
“Did you get a raise or something already?” From the few times I have seen her, she seems more like a homebody. Someone who hides away from the world instead of exploring it.
“Nope. I have a tattoo appointment with Jake’s girlfriend and I don’t want to go alone.” She is quiet for a moment. “I mean as long as you don’t have any plans andwantto go with me.”
Charleigh’s uncle scares the hell out of me, but I would do anything to spend some quality time with Amelia. “I’ll come with you. I don’t think I would have gotten my tattoo if Jake, Marshall and Dylan hadn’t been there with me. And if we weren’t all drunk off our asses when we went.”
“Yes,” she shrieks through the phone, and I pull it away from my ear. “Wait… You have a tattoo? How did I not know this?”
“You never asked.”
“Hmmm,” she mumbles. I can practically see her tapping her chin in thought. “I need to be better at asking more questions. Be prepared for all the questions on the drive to Dallas.”