Page 30 of Forever Only Once

“I don’t know. Maybe. Just...we’ll see.”

I wasn’t in the mood to get into too many details, and thankfully, they didn’t ask for more. Mostly because the oven timer went off, and it was dinnertime.

They helped me move the lasagna out of the oven, and then we waited for it to cool while we chomped down on salad, and then ate some amazing pasta thanks to Arden’s recipe. We also gorged ourselves with bread, and I finished my second beer while they were still on their firsts. The rest of them were driving, though the fact that they had all timed it so they would arrive at the same time just made me laugh.

We were our parents’ children, always arriving five minutes before the allotted time, fifteen minutes if it wasn’t family.

After dinner, they helped with the dishes, and then I walked them out, knowing we all had to work the next day. It was nice to have some family time, and considering that four of the five of us were single, it was easier than with most families. Arden’s new family was all married now, or at least on the verge of getting married. Some of them were even having babies. That meant it was harder for Arden to get to dinners with all of them than it was for her to hang out with us. Maybe one day, when the rest of them finally settled down like our little sister had, getting together would be harder. But as it was, I liked the way things were. I liked being able to have time with my family, even if my parents had moved away.

I talked to them weekly, but it wasn’t the same. Ever since they’d left, it’d just been the five of us kids, closer than ever.

I pulled out my phone and wondered if I should call them, and then thought of something different.

Something that probably wasn’t the best idea, or maybe it was the perfect one.

Me:Hey, are you awake?

Hazel:It’s like 7:30. What time do you think I go to sleep?

I grinned.

Me:It’s a school night. For all I know, this is your bedtime.

Now I was thinking about her in bed, and I didn’t like that my cock hardened. I didn’t know her well enough to start fantasizing about her. At least that’s what I told my dick.

Hazel: I was just grading papers. You know us teachers, the red pen tells all.

I winced.

Me:That was like the worst part of doing homework, seeing what I fucked up on.

Hazel:You said you got your degree, so I guess you didn’t fuck up that bad. Plus, there’s a lot of math in your job. I’m sure you’re pretty good at it.

Me: Just not calculus, which is fine, that can be all you.

Hazel: I’m glad you texted. Kind of.

From what I knew about her, I knew that had to be hard, opening herself up even just a little. So I did the same. After all, we were both trying to figure out precisely what this was, accidental date or not.

Me: I’m glad I texted as well.

I let out a breath.

Me: So, can I take you out this weekend?

There was a long enough pause that I thought maybe I’d fucked up. Was I moving too fast? Or did she just want to be friends? Hell, I really wasn’t good at this.

Hazel:Maybe. I have a lot of things to think about, though.

I had no idea what to do about that cryptic comment. Before I could say anything else, she texted again.

Hazel:I have to get back to grading, but thanks for texting. Good to know you’re not an asshole.

I frowned and texted back.

Me:Good to know. Sleep tight, Hazel.

Hazel:You too.

Then that was it, no more dots telling me she was texting again.

Had I spooked her?

Hell, I didn’t know, but something was off. Things seemed to be going right, and then she backed away.

Maybe it wasn’t about me, or perhaps the whole idea of what we could have had was just that, an idea.

I didn’t know, but that cryptic text on top of everything that was going on with Chris told me that maybe I should go to bed early like I had said she might be doing. Because I had no idea what the fuck I was going to do, and now I was more confused than ever.