Page 16 of The Step Don't

“Yeah, I was gonna ask if you wanted me to call you when I get back to the frat. Just finished my internship hours for the day and heading back.”

He cringes. “Actually, I have a tour of Kyoto in a bit.”

After Dad’s conference in Tokyo, he and some friends were planning to see the sights around Japan.

“That’s why I called earlier,” he adds. “I’m supposedto meet the guys in the hotel lobby in five.”

“You and Mom are real busy recently,” I say through my teeth.

“She mentioned what happened last time you were supposed to chat. Not exactly Mother of the Year, is she?” As I tense up, he quickly adds, “Sorry, that wasn’t a nice thing to say about your mother. I know I’m not Father of the Year, and she’s been the one you’ve lived with for most of your life. I was just trying to make light of things.”

Dad tries, but even when I was little, he tended to try to cheer me up by cracking awkward jokes to avoid emotional moments. He’s gotten a lot better about making sure he’s not dismissing my feelings. It’s a process, and I appreciate both Mom’s and Dad’s work on our shit. Just like I appreciate he remembered to give me a call even when he’s traveling.

I open the door of my Honda Civic and slide into the driver’s seat.

“I’ll call you another day, Ash. I promise. Tell you all about the trip. Sorry again about the timing.”

“It’s okay.” But I can’t disguise the disappointment in my tone.

We exchange I-love-yous before ending the call. I tuck my phone away and grunt out my frustration as I start the car.

Theengine revs.

Then cuts off.

I try again with the same result.

Uh-oh.

*

Colin and Isit on a bench in the waiting area at the auto repair shop where Troy works.

After Colin showed up at the lab, he waited with me while the truck driver finished getting my car rigged to the tow truck. Then we followed him to the garage.

Fortunately, Troy’s working today, so he’s been generous enough to take a look to see if he can figure out what’s wrong.

“Yeah, we’re still waiting to see what’s up,” Colin says, holding up his phone with Steve on FaceTime.

I called Steve while we were waiting in the parking lot, but he called to check in.

“Okay, boys. You just let me know if you need anything. And text me when you find out what’s wrong. Love you guys.”

As Colin returns the words, I chime in, “Love you too, Steve.”

After he hangs up, I tell Colin, “You really didn’t have to come. AAA’s taken good care of me. And I could have just Ubered back to the frat.”

Although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer my brohaving my back.

Things are always better with Colin.

He glares at me because I know damn well nothing I could have said would have stopped him from heading over once he found out my car wouldn’t start. “You just don’t want me to keep you from flirting with Troy,” Colin teases, setting his phone on his thigh. “Do you have any more tests coming up in Thermo?I would love to tutor you.”

“Why do I sound so dumb in your impersonation?”

Colin keeps on, without changing his tone.“Oh, it’s getting so hot in here, let me take this off real quick.” He starts hiking up his shirt, revealing those bulky muscles that anyone would have to be impressed by…and slightly turned on. And yes, that includes me. I’m only fucking human.

I grab his wrist and tug it down so he won’t strip right here in the shop. “You asshat. I’ve been good ever since he and Atlas got together.”