“It’s killing you, isn’t it?” Oliver asks.
“What?”
“It’s killing you that you can’t be there with her.”
“Is it that obvious?”
“It is.”
“It’s the ‘her hurting’ part that gets me. I wish I could be there.”
“You know these kinds of injuries. There’s nothing you could do to help her.”
“No, but holding her would help me.” That’s the heart of the matter. I’ve never met a girl I just wanted to be there for. I’d give anything to be able to hold her right now. Take care of her as we lie around watching movies and icing her arm. It sounds like the perfect afternoon to me. Aside from her injury, I’d be there to take care of her.
“You’re not falling, brother. You’re already there.”
“What?” I glance over at him as I pull into the lot of the deli. “I’m pretty sure I’d know if I was in love with her.”
Oliver just shakes his head. “Come on. Let’s get some lunch so we can get back to the dorm and you can call and check on her.”
“You’re talking my language,” I tell him.
“Two weeks and your language is Peyton.”
I don’t argue the fact because it’s true. “My chest is tight, and there’s this happy, bubbly part of me that wants to shout to the world that she’s mine. I miss her, but at the same time, I know she’s doing something she loves. Long distance is harder than I thought it would be. I knew I would miss her, but it’s been a week, and it feels like a part of me is missing.”
“And you say you’re not in love with her.”
“I said I was falling.”
“You’ve already crashed and burned,” he jokes.
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I can tell you that even though this sucks, the alternative is not having her in my life, and that’s not something I’m willing to accept.” I grab the keys from the ignition and climb out of the Jeep.
We’re quiet as we walk into the deli. Girls call out to us. I wave, but I don’t smile or flirt like I would have before. They’re not Peyton, and none of them ever will be. We order our food and find a table. We’re both diving in starving when two girls approach our table. One lays her hand on my shoulder, and the other does the same to Oliver. It’s nothing new, but it feels different. Wrong even.
“Sorry.” I turn to look at the girl. “Can you move your hand?”
“Oh.” She looks taken aback that I would even ask. “I guess I could sit on your lap,” she coos.
I don’t bother holding the eye roll. “I have a girlfriend.”
“Since when? Word on campus is you’re single.”
“Well, the word is wrong. I’m taken, so step back.” I glance across the table at Oliver, and he barely contains his laughter.
“You don’t have to be a dick about it,” the girl seethes.
“Then stop touching me.” I shift in my seat, and her hands drop from my arm.
“Whatever.” She crosses her arms over her chest and storms off, her friend following hot on her heels.
“Sorry I fucked that up for you,” I tell Oliver.
“Nah, I’m not interested.”
“Since when?” I ask him. “Before I met Peyton, we would have been flirting our asses off with the two of them.”
“Yeah, but that was pre-Peyton.”
“I’m the one in a relationship, man. Not you.”
“I told you I’m envious.”
“Maybe she was the one?”
“No.” He takes a long pull of his drink. “She’s not the one. I want someone who I meet organically. You know, like my Frisbee landing at her feet on a random day at the beach with my friends. Those two saw us, knew we were athletes, and pounced. You’ve got me seeing things a little differently.”
“Oh, yeah? Care to enlighten me?”
“I want a Peyton.”
I point at him. “You can’t have mine.” I know he’d never, but I’m drawing clear lines in the sand with anyone and everyone when it comes to her.
Oliver tosses his head back in laughter. “Not yours, but someone like her. Someone real.”
“Karina?”
He looks away. “She’s chill and beautiful.”
“Daniel?”
“She was passing through for him.”
“And for you?”
“I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“So you coming with me when I go see Peyton?”
“When?”
“I don’t know yet, but you can guarantee I’m going to figure it out. Soon.”
“Count me in. We have to use our trust funds for something, right?” he asks.
Oliver and I both got trust funds from our grandparents when we turned eighteen. It’s not millions, but it’s enough for me to travel to see my girlfriend whenever I find the time in my schedule. Gramps told me not to blow it. To save it for something important, something that I loved. I smile to myself. I’ll have to call him and tell him my plans. I’m certain he’ll approve.
Finishing up our meal, we head back to the dorms. Oliver and I share a double with a private bathroom. We’re moving off-campus next year, but as freshmen athletes, we were required to stay on campus this year. Neither one of us pledged a frat. We don’t have time with school and baseball, and now I have Peyton. I always said I wouldn’t have time for a girlfriend either, yet I’m making it a point to make time for her. I didn’t know I’d meet someone who was perfect for me or that I would be eating those words, but I’m willing to admit I was wrong. It’s tough, but we’re going to make it happen.
As soon as we’re in the dorm, I kick off my shoes and retrieve my laptop from my bag. I settle on my bed with my back against the wall, place my pillow on my lap, and video call Peyton.
“That was fast,” she greets me with a smile.
“We were hungry and ready to get out of there. Two girls were hitting on us.”
“Really? Did you get her number?”
“Nope. I pissed her off when I told her I was taken.” I relay what happened, and she laughs.
“You could have taken it easy on her.”
“Why would I? I don’t want her or anyone who is not you touching me, even if it is just on the shoulder. And she didn’t believe I was taken, and that pissed me off.”
“You said you’ve not been much on commitment. Your reputation precedes you, Griff.” Her smile is infectious.
“Let me see.”
“I’m fine,” she says, rolling her eyes.
“Let me see.”
She winces as she moves her arm to the camera. “See, it’s just a bruise.”
“Damn, Peyton,” Oliver says, leaning over the screen to take a look.
“Guys, it’s fine.”
“She’s lying!” I hear Karina call out. “She’s been whining since we got home today.”
“I’m sorry I’m not there,” I tell her.
This makes her laugh, but her eyes are soft. “Griffin, even if you were here, there is nothing you could do. This is all a part of the game. Our third string pitcher was on the mound, and I didn’t move out of the way fast enough.”