Love Her - Andrea Johnston Page 0,50
such an idiot.
“Umm . . . oh. Uh, it’s—”
His laughter cuts me off before he says, “I’m kidding. Hi, Lis.”
Relief floods my body. “That was cruel.”
“Do you ever wonder why we answer phones “hello” when we know who is calling? I mean, your name comes up on my phone so shouldn’t I just answer accordingly?”
Pulling the covers back from atop my bed, I adjust my pillows before scooting up to the headboard and slipping my feet under the covers. “I’ve never thought of it like that, but you may have a point.”
“I missed seeing you at practice.”
“I doubt that. Besides, you saw me this morning at your appointment.”
The telltale signs of ice dropping in a glass can be heard as he disagrees. “That’s professional Lis. Hot single mom at baseball practice is a whole different scenario.”
Although he can’t see me, I blush at his words. “I’ve already agreed to Sunday, you don’t have to charm me.”
“So you’re saying I’m charming?”
Rolling my eyes at his question, I move so I’m lying down, my head propped by two pillows. Grateful nobody is in my room with me and that Connor didn’t ask for a video chat, I let my cheeks flush at the way his voice makes me feel.
“I heard ice, what are you drinking?”
“We agree I’m charming. Good. A little whiskey.”
“Is that your drink of choice?”
I’m not sure I’ve ever snuggled into my bed to talk into the night with a man before. Even in high school, I didn’t have a serious boyfriend who wanted to talk to me. Dating back then was more about going to parties to be seen. A way to establish yourself in the hierarchy of popularity.
“I’m not sure I have a specific drink. Whiskey is easy and does the job. Helps me relax and sleep.”
“Do you have trouble sleeping because of the late nights you keep?”
Connor doesn’t respond immediately, and I can hear some shifting in the background and the clanking of the ice again. This time, I know it’s in a glass of whiskey and I imagine what it would taste like on his lips.
“Yeah, it’s partially that. I often slept in chunks of time when I was deployed, and it just became part of my process.”
His tone has changed. It isn’t much but just enough to catch my attention.
“I can’t imagine what that was like. Thank you for your service. For what you’ve sacrificed for your country.”
“Thank you. It wasn’t a sacrifice. It was a choice that saved my life.”
“Sounds like there’s a story there.”
Connor grumbles something unintelligible so I change the subject. “My kids saved my life. I can’t imagine where I’d be right now if not for them.”
When he doesn’t respond, I worry talking about my children isn’t as hot as he thought the single mom thing was earlier. Then I hear a shuffling noise and then he’s back on the line.
“Sorry, I needed to take off my shirt and kill the light.”
The thought of him shirtless and in bed just lit a fire in me I don’t want to think about. Actually, that’s not true. Thinking about it is a lot safer than imagining it. Needing to break up the seriousness our conversation has taken, I say, “Okay, truth time. How old were you when you had your first kiss?”
Barking out a laugh, he takes a drink before answering. “Six. Ashley T. on the playground behind a tree. She gave me a flower and I stole a kiss. It was epic for her I’m sure.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “I was thirteen. It was during the Fourth of July fireworks and not epic at all.”
Gone is the tension I heard in his voice talking about his time in the military, and in its place the easy conversation I’ve come to enjoy. We talk late into the night, the exhaustion I know I’ll face in the morning not a motivation to end the call, but it also doesn’t prevent me from yawning.
“Oh wow, it’s late. I should let you go.”
“I’m sorry. I swear, at one time I was cool and didn’t have a bedtime.”
“Don’t apologize. I’ll pick you up Sunday at noon?”
“I’ll be ready.”
Another yawn and this time, one comes through the line immediately after.
“Sweet dreams, Lis.”
“Night, Connor.”
We end the call and I set my phone on the stand next to my bed. My light was cut long ago. The peacefulness of a quiet dark room draws me into a deep slumber. Thoughts of curling into Connor’s side filling my dreams.
Chapter