Emily Calls It (The Emily Series) (15 page)

That night I slept well. Better than I had in a long time. No tears fell for Graham, no regrets, and no questions nagged me as I dozed off. I felt, I don’t know, healthy for the first time in a while.

Unfortunately, those feelings wouldn’t last.

SEVENTEEN

Such Men Dilemmas

It seemed like only minutes before I was sitting across from Nicole in our Women’s Studies group. Every time I saw her face I imagined Graham with her. Loving h
er the same way he had loved me—
causing a sour stomach and a low grade headache. Even worse, it seemed she had a brain. We only had two group pow-wows so far, and her ideas were well thought-out and relevant. I found myself hating her more but with just the slightest bit of respect and admiration, too.

Neither of us acknowledged that we had any former association. And that was just fine with me. The less we talked about it, the better. I even packed my books up slowly so she could leave the classroom before me. It was a little ridiculous, but whatever.

Allison met me after my last class for coffee. It seemed like ages since I’d had a decent conversation with her. All of her time was taken up with Ethan. But as annoyed as I was by that, she and he were so happy. How could I argue? Trish saw us at The Bistro and slid her coffee along the table, plunking herself down. Her bangles clanked together as she situated.

“So a date with the teacher?” Trish caught on to what we were talking about. She was such a snot! “What was that like?” She took a sip of her coffee and listened intently.

“He’s not my teacher anymore.” It was the only retort I could think of. Weak, but safe.

“So how was he?” Trish continued. “He’s a hottie, Allison. Have you seen him?” My mouth gaped open at her insinuation.

“Unfortunately, no. Just heard about him.” Allison seemed slighted

“We had a nice time. How was he?” I mimicked her tone. “He didn’t even come in when we got back to my place.” I reflected on our evening for a moment. The girls just stared at me, waiting for the details. “He’s actually…a little shy. Which surprised me because he’s so much older than me.”

“How old is he?” Allison looked perplexed.

“You know, I don’t know.” I looked to Trish for a guess from her.

“He’s not that much older than you. I think I heard someone say he’s twenty-eight.” Trish sipped her coffee again. “Why? Is that a problem?”

“No. I guess not.” And really, why would it be? Ordinary concerns would be that he’s in a different place than me, or that he would expect me to be more experienced. But those things didn’t seem to be an issue. At least not so far.

“So what about Graham?” Trish continued to fire questions at me. Allison’s eyes opened wider.

“You’re seeing Graham again? Emily.” Allison asked, her voice running up an octave.

“I don’t know what’s going on with us. It was weird. He stopped by Friday night, right before Colin got there.” I looked to the side and remembered it. “Then, what makes it worse, it appears my apparent revolving-man-door is putting on a show for the neighbors.”

Trish almost spit her coffee in mid laugh. “Emily! Don’t tell me.” She put up her hand. “That Kyle guy saw the whole thing?” She elbowed Allison and said under her breath, “One of Emily’s contenders.” Allison didn’t smile, but she did look concerned.

“Emily.” Allison’s voice was calm. “You’re play
ing the field, that’s good. But
with Graham too? Are you sure that’s wise?” She had a point.

“I don’t know if it’s wise.” I pressed my fingers against my temple. “Every time we talk it feels awkward and almost forced. Not the way we used to.” I let out a breath
.
“All I know is that I felt really good after my date with Colin. It was fun and light. Something I really needed.”

“You’re right about that.” Trish chimed in.

“But,
Graham
? Really?” Allison wasn’t going to let it go, was she?

“Look. I don’t know. I just don’t know if things are over with him. I still love him.” I said shakily.

“
But
.” Trish and Allison, in unison. Which shook me out of my confusion. Well, I guess they
were
on the same page.

“Emily.” Allison sighed. “We just want you to be happy. And Graham? I  saw how much he hurt you. You don’t really want to go through that again, do you?”

I shook my head. But even with that realization, I knew I wasn’t completely finished with him. Now, if I could just get past the whole having-to-face-Nicole thing. And then that reminded me.

“Oh, I didn’t tell you two.” I think I saw their ears perk up with the prospect of more information. “I have Women’s Studies with Nicole.” Allison’s eyes bugged, and Trish couldn’t hide her evil little smile even though she tried to tuck it behind her coffee cup. I nodded, agreeing with their silent reactions. As if to say, ‘yeah, that bad.’ “What’s worse is that we’re in the same discussion group. And for the whole semester.”

Trish couldn’t contain herself. She openly laughed. “I’m sorry. Emily. But that could only happen to you.”

Allison, by
far
the
more serious of the two, simply rested her hand on mine. She felt for me, and that helped. But, enough was enough. Time to change the subject.

“So Trish? Did you get that apartment you were looking at?” I directed the conversation away from my life.

“Yeah, I did. It’s so cute. When are you going to
come by and see it?”

“Whenever you want. When do you move in?” I asked, trying to think when I might be able to check it out.

“Oh at the beginning of the month. But I can get a key if you want to go before then.”

“Sure, just let me know what works for you.” I said. I could feel the air lift and soften around us. It had gotten warm and thick during the whole
men
conversation.

I felt a little edgy all afternoon but stayed on campus to get some studio time on my first big semester project. It was quiet
and perfect thinking time. I was there for a while when
I noticed the room begin to dim. How long had I been here? I looked out the window and saw the sun setting. Wow! Time flies when you’re totally engrossed in your project and your mind is full. I felt my stomach growl and my eyes begin to droop. That was it. I started to pack up
.

I wasn’t usually on campus in the evening. It was interesting how everything looked different in the evening shadows. The design studio was tucked back behind several buildings. I circled around the English department avoiding groups of students exiting the classrooms. I usually saw a number of the same people. None I knew personally, but familiar faces I’d recognize on the way to classes. But tonight, no one was familiar. That is, until I reached the steps of the parking garage.

EIGHTEEN

An Impromptu Date

Before my foot even touched the first steps, I heard him call my name. I turned around, leaning back against the railing to let people pass.

“Hey
Emily.” Kyle moved in beside me.

“Hi.” I said, kind of surprised to see him at school.

“Are you heading home?” he asked as we turned to ascend the stairs.

“Uh huh, long day?” I asked.

“Yeah, you too?”

“Yes.” I responded with a tired sigh.

“It’s funny seeing you here.” Kyle remarked, presumably considering all our other interaction.

“I know, and without a bag of groceries or
a
basket of laundry.” I joked.

“And you. Without any suitors in tow.” He joked back. Well, I guess I deserved that. I shrugged. We arrived at the top of the steps, but before we went our separate ways he went on.

“Hey.” He paused and readjusted his backpack on his shoulder. “I was going to order a pizza. You wouldn’t want to come over and slum it with me, would you?”

It was kind of a surprise that he wanted anything to do with me after seeing me with both Graham and Colin, but maybe he wasn’t into making assumptions. If that were true, it would be refreshing. And I was starving. “Sure.” He smiled. “I’ll grab some soda and then I’ll be over,” I said.

“Cool. I’ll see you in a few,” he said. We headed in opposite directions.

I went home and dropped my book bag in the entry. I lifted both my arms above my head and clasped my right wrist with my left hand for a well deserved stretch. Hunching over the drafting table for hours wasn’t exactly forgiving on the spine. I pulled a two liter of 7 Up from the refrigerator and looked around. All seemed well. I started to walk towards my bathroom and stopped in front of my kitchen table. The flowers Colin had given me were still fresh and perky. I lifted the vase and brought it over to the kitchen sink for some fresh water. The fragrance of the delicate wildflowers filled the air around me. I paused looking into the sink remembering our evening together. Thoughts of the day replayed. They were good.

I returned the vase to the table, and padded along to my bathroom. I brushed my teeth, added some fresh lip gloss, ran a brush through my hair, and kicked off my tennis shoes. My feet were hot and tired; they desperately need
ed flip-
flops. I remembered I had a pair by the front door. Back through the house, I grabbed the 7 Up and slid into my sandals.

Kyle’s apartment wasn’t far from mine. I’d seen him enter and leave before, so I knew which one it was. I knocked. Two short, then a pause before the third. He answered right away.

“Hey girl. Come on in.” I closed the door behind me, and follow
ed
him into his kitchen. I hadn’t seen any of the other apartments in our complex, but yep, this one was identical to mine. His walls were white, unlike the colors I’d added to my place. And the décor screamed “single guy.” But overall it was cozy. “Here.” He gestured for me to give him the 7 Up. He put it on the counter.

“Cute place you’ve got here. I can’t think what it reminds me of,” I said tapping my chin with my finger.

“Funny. So yours has the same layout?” he asked.

“Exactly.”
             

“Huh. But do you have this exquisite furniture and custom carpet?” He gestured toward his obviously handed-down couch.

“Well I can’t say that I have quite the lovely pieces you feature, but I do have this same
custom
carpet.” We laughed in unison.

Our laughter subsided, each of us smiling at an unexpected fun time. “So let’s order. What do you like?” He picked up the phone and waited for me to answer.

“Oh, I’m easy.” I paused thinking that didn’t come out right. “I mean, I like everything?”

He set down the phone. “Tell me what you like
,
Emily.” His tone was less playful and more determined.

He wasn’t going to let me be agreeable was he? “I’m a pepperoni girl, but I’m open to what you like.”

“OK, then.” He said, and picked up the phone again looking at me the whole time. Then he ordered a pepperoni pizza and the subject was closed.

Half an hour later, we sat cross-legged on the living room floor, the pizza atop his really ancient, crooked coffee table
.
We each had a glass of soda, mine resting against the front of my leg. It was casual, fun, relaxing, and a little more.

“So
,
Emily.” He took his last bite of pizza as I dotted my napkin across my lips. “The tall guy
.
Is he your boyfriend?”

The inevitable question. I didn’t really know how to answer. “It’s complicated.” Was the first thing I thought of saying. And it wasn’t untrue.

“It usually is.” He took a big gulp of soda, setting his glass down letting out an
‘
ahhh.
’
“So I guess we’ll have to be friends.” He looked directly into my eyes.

I wasn’t sure what he had in mind all along, but my guess —it wasn’t friendship. “Friends.” I lifted my glass of soda. Yeah, it was probably corny, but it felt right. He reached over the pizza with his glass and clicked mine. Kyle pivoted around a little closer to me, still cross-legged. I sat up straighter not knowing what he was up to.

“You know.” He rested his hands on his thighs. “It’s late and we’re both tired, but I’ve been dying to find someone to play cribbage with. You play?
”
I was stuffed and tired, true, but I was intrigued. No one had asked me to play a game with them in ages, and that used to be my thing.

“Well, you know, my brother and I have had some serious tournaments. Are you sure you’re up to the challenge?
”
I asked playfully.

A smile started on his right cheek, spreading slowly and mischievously across his mouth and into the other cheek. He was up for it. “Your brother?”

I rolled onto my stomach and propped myself up with my elbows. “Yeah. Our Grandpa taught us when we were kids and it stuck.” I realized I hadn’t told him about my brother or how close I was to my grandparents, but I thought I should at least explain about my brother. “He lives here, too. We both go to CWU.”