Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
I grumble under my breath and peel my eyes open as I glance at my phone that is lit up.
Who the hell is texting me?
With blurry eyes, I bring the phone closer to my face and note the time. 1:15 a.m. This better be fucking important.
I glance at the sender and see that it’s from Lia. I rub my eyes a few times and then swipe on her text to read it.
Lia: Hey, you up?
Lia: You never texted me after your date.
Lia: Are you still with her?
Groaning, I get comfortable on my side, and I text her back.
Breaker: You know, this is a conversation that could be had in the morning.
Lia: Oh, you are awake. Look at that.
Breaker: Because of you.
Lia: Oops *charmingly smiles*
Breaker: Rejects the charming smile
Lia: Don’t be mad, I couldn’t sleep, and I was curious. So . . . how did it go with Birdy?
Breaker: Are we really doing this right now?
Lia: Yes.
I groan again and text her back.
Breaker: Good. She’s pretty cool. We have few obvious things in common, but she was super nice, sweet, and pretty of course.
Lia: Of course. Did you invite her back to your place?
Breaker: Seriously? No. I barely know her.
Lia: As if that has prevented you before.
Breaker: This is different.
Lia: How is this different?
Breaker: Because I’m trying something new.
Lia: Something new? Tell me more . . .
Breaker: I thought I would try to date her.
Lia: Wait . . . seriously? But you don’t date.
Breaker: Yeah, I know, but with you getting married soon and your time being consumed with your soon-to-be husband, I figured I should maybe find someone to, you know . . . be compatible with.
There isn’t a response.
For a few minutes, and I wonder if I said something wrong or if she fell asleep until my phone rings in my hand. Seeing her name scroll across the screen, I pick up and put my phone on speaker so I can rest it against my pillow and talk.
“Hello?”
In a hushed voice, she asks, “Are you trying to replace me?”
“What? No. Why would you say that?”
“That last text, it sounds like you’re trying to find a replacement.”
“Lia, come on, you know I’m not trying to replace you. You could never be replaced, but let’s be honest, as much as we like to believe things won’t change, they will. Brian will be your top priority once you’re married, and you can’t let anything get in the way. Which means I’m going to have some free time. I don’t want to be sitting around in my apartment by myself all the time, so maybe it’s time I go out and find someone.”
“You won’t be alone. We’re going to live next to each other, remember?”
“Still, Brian won’t want me over all the time, Lia. Face it, things are changing, and that’s okay. We knew the time would come.”
“But . . . I don’t want things to change,” she says softly. “I like things the way they are.” God, so do I. I liked it when I had full access to my brothers too, but that ship has sailed. It’s life, I guess. But I can’t ignore this opportunity. I swallow hard and then say, “So then why did you say yes to his proposal?”
She’s quiet, and I know it’s a question I don’t think she knows how to truly answer other than the generic statement.
“Because I love him.”
But are you in love with him? I want to ask her that so bad, but I also don’t want to cause drama. I don’t want her second-guessing herself. If she says she loves him, then I need to believe that.
“Well, then, this is what happens when you fall in love, Lia. Things change.”
She’s silent again and then says, “But Birdy? She doesn’t seem like a person you would go out with.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Well . . .” I can hear her take a deep breath. “You don’t have a lot in common. She seems like the popular girl type, and you’re more on the interesting scale.”
“Interesting?” I laugh. “Please describe that for me.”
“You just have different interests that don’t match up.”
“And you and Brian have interests that match up?” I ask before I can stop myself. “Last time I checked, he thinks it’s lame that you and I freak out over a new board game.”
“He said that once.”
“Once is enough.”
“What are you saying? Do you not want me marrying him?”
No, I would prefer that you didn’t.
“I didn’t say that.” I drag my hand over my face. “I’m just trying to say that sometimes interests don’t match up, and that’s okay. Look at you and Brian. You don’t have everything in common, but your relationship still works. Look, I’ve only met Birdy once, so I’m not going to suggest that I’ve met my future wife or anything. But what’s the harm in finding out if we’re compatible? Maybe those different interests won’t be a deal breaker like they’re not with you and Brian. There’s only one way to find out.”
“So does that mean you’re going out with her again?”
“Yeah, we’re going on a hike next weekend. I’m going to teach her about birds. Who knows, maybe she’ll become a fanatic like me.”
“What’s with the Cane brothers and their birds?”
“Hey, JP likes pigeons because he feels guilty about them not being loved, but he couldn’t care less about other feathered friends.”
“Please, for the love of God, don’t call them feathered friends.”
“Well, if I don’t try to put myself out there and date, they very much might be my only friends, and although the solitude of being the crazy bird man sounds charming, I don’t think I’m ready for that title just yet.”
“I can see it, your poncho, a bucket hat. A cane.”
“Please . . . please don’t envision that.”
She chuckles and then sighs. “I’m sorry, Breaker.”
“Sorry for what?” I ask.
“Well, for one, waking you up. And also for giving you a hard time about Birdy. I guess I’m just stressed with the many rapid changes. I was comfortable, content, and now my life feels like a whirlwind of change, and it’s all happening at a frightening pace.”
“You know you have the choice to slow it down.”
“By disappointing others.”
“Yes, but it’s for the sake of your mental health,” I reply. “Don’t try to please others just for the sake of it.”
“I know you’re right, Breaker. I know you are, but I just don’t have it in me to disappoint others. Brian is so sensitive. I think if I postponed, he’d think it had to do with him, and I don’t want him thinking that. I just need to take this one step at a time.”
“Okay, but just so you know, if you want to try to slow this down, you just let me know, and I’ll step in and help.”
“I know, and I love you for that. Just promise me you will be here every step of the way.”
“I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Six
LIA