In the Echo of this Ghost Town by CL Walters

Author:CL Walters [Walters, CL]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735070247
Publisher: Mixed Plate Press
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

My eyebrows arch on my forehead. A couple of days ago, I was interested in the hypothetical idea of meeting up with her. Receiving the text, however, feels more real. I may have had quite a few encounters with girls, but I have no experience outside of Bro Code. Just Max. Without the alcohol and the party, how does one interpret another’s intentions?

Lauren’s text blazes in my eyeballs like a foreign language. Is it a hook up text? An ‘I’m interested in you’ text? A friend-zone text? I feel out of my element and too deep in my own swamp to know for sure.

I need help, but I’m too embarrassed to ask my brother. My former friends aren’t an option, so without thinking it through, I text Max: Hey. I need help.

Max: Yes. You do, SK. You good?

My heart bounces in my chest when her text comes through, and I smile. The waitress catches my eyes as she delivers the chocolate milkshake and my food, so I look up and wipe the smile from my face. When she’s gone, I pluck a French fry from the basket with one hand, smile again at my phone and Max’s text in the other. I grip the food between my teeth to free up both hands to text back.

All good. Eating French fries. How’s Ben?

Shit. Why did I write that? I frown and set the phone down as if it’s burned me, but that was all me. I’ve had Max on the brain, wondering about that Ben guy from the pizza place and his territorial show. I’ve wondered if it worked, and if Max is interested in him. I’ve hated that I’ve wondered since I know I don’t have any right to.

The three dots pop up, disappear, then reappear. I wonder what she’s writing, wonder if my question has freaked her out. I pick up the phone, needing to see her response more than I need to eat.

Max: Ben who?

A short text for all the writing and rewriting. This response makes me smile and buoyantly happy even if it’s irrational to be so.

Me: Maybe you didn’t go to that party since your dad showed up?

Max: Oh. THAT Ben.

That makes my smile short out like a broken neon sign.

Me: Why? Is there more than one Ben?

There probably is, I decide. Max is awesome, and any number of Bens would be lucky to call her a girlfriend. What the hell am I thinking? I’d texted her to ask about Lauren, and now I’m annoyed thinking about Max being any Ben’s girlfriend. My stomach feels like it’s in knots. I glance at the burger, unsure if I can eat it.

Max: Tons of them!

I’m at a party right now.

Ben’s a few feet from me probably thinking I’m weird because I’m grinning at my phone as I text you at said party.

There’s also Derek. Hank. Billy Bob. The Hulk.

A lightness floats about in my chest at her humor but also a protectiveness.

Me: Only I can say you’re weird.

Max: Says who?

Me: Me.

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