* * *
Liam checked the wall clock. It was already some minutes after ten. He sighed, turned off the T.V. and walked to his room. He knew with no doubt that she was probably not coming home tonight. He climbed into the bed and was drawing his blanket when his phone chimed. It was Emily’s message.
Hi baby, you are probably asleep and I don’t want to wake you. I am so sorry I couldn’t come home. Will explain tomorrow. Goodnight.”
Really? She had to send a text message? He thought. Just as he dropped the phone, it rang, but to his disappointment it was Charlotte. He had forgotten to ask if she got home safely. Why did he keep doing that?
“Hey, you. Sure you got home safely?”
“Well, yea, I did. How are you?”
“I’m alright,” he lied.
“She isn’t home, is she?”
“No,” he said, “she isn’t.”
“Well, I’m sure she’ll have a really good explanation for not showing up when you see her.”
He smiled. “What explanation could that be? To explain why her phone was mostly switched off and she only had to send a text tonight. That would be one hell of explanation.”
“Give her a chance, Liam. And stop being sad.”
“I’m not sad.”
“No, you are and you need to keep that ring box in your back pocket very well, or better still keep it for the right time.”
“Wow! How did you know about that?”
“Well, it almost slipped out, I had to push it in like, twice.”
Liam chuckled. He had been so clumsy. “Thank you, Charlotte. You are such a good friend.”
“Well, you love her to that extent, I’m kinda jealous but I am happy for you. All you need to do is to keep things cool.”
“But till when? How do I even know if she’s still interested in me? She is always either spending the day with either Joe or spending the night with Tom. I am just getting tired of all this Char. It’s not healthy for me. I can’t even remember the last time we had a good time together… oh yeah that was before she got this nomination. It just sucks.”
“Yeah! It does.”
“I went to meet Joe, the director, today and...”
“You did?”
“Yea! I just had to go give him a piece of my mind and I just ..”
“What did he say? Your girl wouldn’t approve of that, you know?”
“I know, but what was I supposed to do? He called her first, before she had to leave for Detroit. There are so many people that could have been asked to go. Why should I be here all the time?”
“Wow! Dude! You shouldn’t have said that.”
“Yea, I know. He made me feel even worse.”
“What did he say?”
“That I was jealous of her success and that I was not supportive.”
Charlotte gasped. “He said that?”
“Yea. Wow! That was really bad. Anyway, you should tell her once you see her that you did that you know?”
“I will. So you said you dated that guy before?”
“Oh, you mean me and Tom?”
“Yea.”
“Well, yea, that was when I was in Law school at Georgia. I was in a relationship before I met him. He was passing through and just came to pick something up. You know, there is something sinister about the man. You think he is sweet and friendly on the surface, but he is trying to win you over. He is the most charming but he’s an asshole.”
“Wow. So what happened?”
“I thought I was in love with him so I broke up with my boyfriend and later I realized he was actually doing that with many girls and not only me.”
“Wow! So you broke up with him?”
“Yea. I did. So don’t blame your girlfriend, she may be enticed by whatever Tom is showing or giving her but if she really loves you, she will come back. Well, this is where I sleep.”
Liam smiled. “Thank you so much for all your help. Goodnight .”
“Okay Liam, goodnight and good luck.”
“Goodnight.” The call ended and he made himself comfortable for another of the lonely nights he was getting used to.