“No need to be confused. I just explained it all to you in a nutshell.”
“Okay. Thanks.” She nodded just as Mila walked back into the room with a bottle of wine and a bag of chips.
“Thanks for what?” Mila looked at me. “What advice did you give her?”
“I told her he just wanted sex and that is why he peaced out.”
“Cody, are you for real?” Mila sighed. “Why would you say that?”
“Because I know guys.” I shrugged. “You wanted me to give my honest opinion, right?” I looked at them both. “The dude realized he wasn’t going to get laid so he peaced out. It happens all the time.”
“I don’t think that Luke is like that.” Sally shook her head. “He doesn’t seem to be about sex.”
“Every guy is about sex.” I was exasperated at how clueless Sally was being and how Mila was trying to make me out to be the bad guy. “Trust me I’m a guy. I know these things.”
“Every guy isn’t you, Cody.” Mila pursed her lips. “I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation as to why Luke left.”
“Okay, so why ask me then?” I rolled my eyes and I could feel myself growing angry. Why was I wasting my time here in this situation? I was getting absolutely nothing from it. This wasn’t what I’d come for. This wasn’t what I wanted.
“We thought you could give us a male perspective. Well I thought that.” Mila sighed. “Sally didn’t really know you were coming.”
“I see.” I looked over at Sally then and watched her face and waited for her to look at me. “I texted you.” I said nonchalantly, like it wasn’t a big deal that I’d texted her several times and she hadn’t responded. Over ten times to be exact.
“Oh?” She looked up at me with a surprised expression.
“Is your phone broken?” I felt some sudden hope. Maybe that was why she hadn’t texted?
“Nope, why?” She answered quickly and then her face flushed as she realized why I’d asked her the question.
“No reason.” I shook my head. “I suppose you didn’t forget your Facebook password either?” I said with a smile, though my stomach was churning.
“I’ve just been busy.”
“With Luke? I know.” I looked away from her and I could see Mila looking at me curiously, studying my face and I stared back at her wondering what she was thinking.
“I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be back.” She said abruptly and left the room. I stared at the door for a few seconds and then looked towards Sally.
“So how have you been?” I asked her quietly.
“Good.” She said simply.
“That’s good.” I replied. “I’ve been pretty good too.”
“That’s nice.” She nodded and I could tell that she wasn’t even engaged in our conversation.
“I’m sorry.” I stood up and walked over to her and crouched down next to her. “You know that right?”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” She shrugged and looked at me.
“Sally.” I grabbed her hand and she flinched away from me. “Sally.” I said, a little bit more harshly, hurt at her reaction. “Can we please talk?”
“Talk about what, Cody?” She sighed and glanced at me. “If it’s about the sex, it’s fine. We both enjoyed it. I’m over it. I’m not even thinking about it anymore, okay? I’m meeting new guys. I’m dating. I’m focusing on that.”
“Okay.” I frowned at her tone. If she was okay, why wasn’t she acting like she normally did? “You haven’t texted or messaged me back, so I figured something was up.”
“Like I said, I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy to text me back?” I said softly and I touched her face lightly. “Look at me please, Sally.”
“What do you want me to say, Cody?” She sighed and looked into my eyes. “I’m not sure what you want me to say. You’re confusing me.”
“I’m confusing you?” I stared back at her. “How am I confusing you? You’re the one not responding to my texts.”
“I just can’t do this.” She sighed. “Look it doesn’t matter, does it? Are you really that upset because I didn’t send you a couple of texts back?”
“It’s rude.” I said with a frown, my heart pounding. “And I was worried about you.”
“Then sorry.” She stood up abruptly. “I’ll be better.”
“Sally, what is going on?” I asked her frustrated and upset. “Why are you being this way?”
“I’m not being any way. I’m just tired.” She closed her eyes and sighed deeply before looking at me again.
“I’ve missed you.” I said sincerely, not knowing why I was telling her that. “I’ve missed hanging out with you and talking to you and spending time with you.”
“Thanks.” She said and gave me a weak smile.
“I know you don’t or won’t believe me, but I value your presence in my life.” I felt empty inside as I stared at her. “I miss being with you.”
“Okay.”