I tap my index finger against the couch cushion, bouncing it off my thigh as I stare blankly at the television across the room. My phone sits on the cushion an inch away from my hand but you’d think it was some horrible, hairy spider with how much I’ve avoided it tonight.

Just call her.

“It’s a phone call,” I mutter to no one. “Just a phone call.”

That’s all it is.

That’s all it should be but I were following should today, I would never have gone with her back to her apartment. We would never have had amazing, primal, animalistic, tension-breaking, satisfying sex.

As much as I want to do that again, I don’t want this phone call to be about that. Just moments before that blissful sexual episode, she was in tears. Today was about far more than us.

I pick up my phone, hitting the button to light up the screen. I stare at it until it shuts off by itself. I turn it back on again and tap into a little burst of courage to swipe open my contact back.

My thumb hovers over her name.

“Just a phone call,” I say again.

I clear my throat and tap the button.

It rings several times with no answer. Maybe she’s letting it go to voicemail.

“Hello?” I hear suddenly.

“Haurghl—” I spit out.

“… Lance?”

“Yeah, hi.” I turn the phone away and exhale before bringing it back to my ear. “It’s Lance.”

“Hi,” she says, her voice stiff with surprise. “What’s up?”

“Nothing. I was just sitting here watching some TV and I thought that... well, that I’d call you. See how you were.”

“Are you booty-calling me, Lance?” she asks, her voice dripping with amusement.

“No!”

She chuckles. “Because usually guys just send me dick pics when they want it. Getting an actual voice call is almost quaint.”

“No, this is not a booty call. I would not… call you for… that.” I cringe into silence.

She chuckles for a moment more. “Listen, Lance,” she says slowly, “I wanted to thank you for being there for me today.”

I nod. “It’s all right. I was happy to do it.”

“No, I really appreciate it. You didn’t have to set up that visit for me and you had no real reason to...” She pauses. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I say.

“Turns out... you’re not nearly as big of a prick I thought you were,” she jokes.

I laugh. “You thought I was a prick, eh?”

“Well, with the way my family talks about you…”

“Fair enough,” I say. “Why would you bring me home with you if you thought I was some jerk?”

“Oh, if you think I wouldn’t screw a jerk then you are vastly unprepared for my dating history.”

I grin, feeling more at ease. “Hey, you wanna come over?” I ask.

“Oh...” She hums. “So, this was a booty call?”

“No. No, it’s more of an I was thinking about you and I wanted to know if you were okay... call.”

Her laugh carries through the phone, striking my chest. “I’m okay,” she says. “Just... curing the numb feeling with some wine and a smutty book.”

“Is it good at least?”

“Yes to both,” she answers. “The book is the new one from my friend, Melanie, so I’m immediately biased to love every word and the wine is some old stuff my dad gave me. Was saving it for a special occasion but fuck it, ya know?”

“Sounds like all you need is some chocolate and a Snuggie.”

“Oh, I’ve got the Snuggie, too.”

I smile. “Good.”

“Although... I could use the company,” she says. “Drinking alone has never really been my thing.”

“I could come to you if you’ve knocked back too much of that bottle already.”

“I’d love a reason to not be here, actually. Keep expecting my brothers to show up. They’re not very happy with me right now if the dozen strongly-worded texts from each of them are any indication.”

“Well, my door is open. You can hide out here tonight.”

“Then...” She pauses and I swear I hear a smile. “I’ll be over soon.”

I hold my breath. “All right.”

“Hey, Lance.”

“Yeah?”

“Nine out of ten on that booty call,” she says. “Not too shabby.”

“It’s not a—”

She hangs up and I curse under my breath as my smile spreads.

After a moment, I pause and bury my nose in my shirt. I inhale to test the smell in case I need a new one but it’s clean enough. Should probably straighten up around here, though…

And upstairs. Definitely the bedroom, right?

Slow down, buddy. She’s had a rough day.

But then again, she said yes. She's coming over here right now, despite knowing what your job is. She needs a friend to talk to, a place away from her family where she can be comfortable. Give her that. Expect nothing more... but if she happens to get a little closer. Hey, bonus. And Haley won’t be back for another five hours or so.

What’s the harm in making this place look presentable?

I stand and make my way upstairs.