Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
They exchanged greetings, and then Kit asked, “Were you two talking about Hal’s cowboy?” When I nodded, he said, “I’m sorry if this is too nosy, but I’m curious. What do you and Ryder find to talk about? It just doesn’t seem like you and a guy who lives on a ranch would have much in common.”
“We have very different lives, but somehow that’s a plus, because we learn from each other,” I said. “Believe it or not, he’s legitimately interested when I talk about fashion design or show him my sketches, because he knows it’s important to me. He asks questions and makes a real effort to understand what I’m doing. I’m the same way when he talks about his horses.”
“Aw, that’s sweet,” Kit said.
“You know what, though? I’ve started to realize he and I really aren’t all that different, deep down. For one thing, we both grew up fast. Somehow, fourteen was a pivotal age for each of us. That’s when I started my modeling career. It’s also when he moved in with his grandparents and took on a lot of the work involved in keeping the ranch up and running. That much responsibility at a young age changes you.”
Kit nodded. “I can see that.”
Before I could give another example, my phone rang. Ryder’s name was on the screen, which made me smile. I answered the video call with, “Hi, sexy. I was just talking about you.”
My companions got up immediately, but I told them, “You don’t have to leave.”
“You should have some alone time with your honey,” Kit said.
Logan turned to Kit and gestured at the pink Victorian. “Let’s go inside. I’ll show you a few tips and tricks for living here. For one thing, there’s a whole series of steps to get the washing machine to work. The last step is bumping it with your hip.”
“We fixed that since you moved out,” I called after them. “Now the last step is just pounding on it with your fist.”
Once they were gone, I turned my attention back to the screen, and Ryder smiled at me and said, “Hi, baby. Where are you?”
“My backyard. I’m trying to recapture the feeling of being at the ranch. Thanks to Logan, there’s even a fire of sorts.”
I panned the phone to show him the fire pit, and he asked, “Why is the fire blue?”
“It’s one of those manufactured logs. I assume it burns in color because it’s laced with chemicals.”
“I’m mildly horrified.”
“As expected.”
“So, what were you saying about me?” He looked amused.
“Nothing too personal. I was just passing around your dick pic and asking my friends to rate you on a scale of meh to hallelujah.”
He chuckled at that. “Good thing I’ve never actually sent you any dick pics.”
“If you had, you’d get hallelujahs across the board.”
“Thanks for the compliment. I’m sorry to chase off your friends, though. I should have waited until later to call.”
There was something in his voice that made me ask, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I just wanted to see you and hear your voice.” After a pause, he said softly, “I’m trying to remember how to live without you.” I knew exactly what he meant.
12
Hal
The closer I got to the end of the school year, the more I started to panic and doubt myself. I ended up sewing my Japanese-modern collection, completely tearing apart, and remaking it, twice. It still didn’t seem good enough, so I kept trying to come up with a more original collection.
The problem was that creativity couldn’t be turned on at will, like a water faucet. It showed up or it didn’t, and the more pressure I was under, the less it flowed.
On a random Tuesday in mid-May, I felt like I was hanging on by a thread. It had been an epically shitty day, and I was mentally and physically exhausted.
Vee and Kit were sipping cocktails in the living room when I got home. Kit had become friends with all of our housemates over the last few weeks, which was good because I was never around to keep him company.
“Hey, there he is,” Vee called, as he raised a glass. “Come join us, Hal. We’ve just invented the Cosmo-colada, and we firmly believe it’s going to sweep the nation.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m wiped out and need to go to bed. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” I was fully aware that it was only eight p.m., but I needed this day to end.
After changing into my most comfortable pajamas, I climbed under the covers and used my laptop to place a video call to Ryder. We’d gotten in the habit of falling asleep together and leaving the call connected all night. It was comforting, and a way to feel close despite the distance.
He answered with, “Hi, baby. You’re early tonight.”