scrunched up my nose and grit my teeth, waiting for his reaction.
“YOU TOOK ANDERSON AND HIS FRIENDS FOR FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS? ARE YOU CRAZY?” I held the phone away from my ear.
“First, I had no idea we were playing with that kind of money. I asked Anderson to cover me, and he didn’t bat an eye.” I held up a second finger as if he could see me listing my points. “Second, I didn’t take it.”
“Do you think he sent this text because you play better poker than he and his friends?”
“I don’t think so. When we went to bed, he said it was hot that I cleaned the table and that his friends couldn’t wait to have a rematch.” I palmed my face for bringing up the fact that we slept together.
“Was it the ‘I mean… no’ that turned the evening into a disaster?”
“Not at all. We agreed that we would wait since his friends were in the house. Albeit three floors below us, but in the house.”
“Three floors below?”
“Oh,” I nodded. “Didn’t I mention that Anderson lives in his parents’ freaking mansion?”
“Nope. I’m positive I would have remembered a fact like that. Do tell.”
Unfallen tears began to collect in my eyes, making the bathroom blurry. “I think that was the realization that I don’t fit into his life.”
“Because he lives in a big house, you suddenly aren’t good enough for him?” The annoyance in his voice was clear.
“The house has an elevator.”
“Lots of buildings have an elevator.” Derrick countered.
“His home has an elevator and a pool in the lower level. In New York City. His master suite takes up the entire top floor of the home and has a piano that he plays. Like two of my houses could fit comfortably into his master bedroom alone.”
“You are totally exaggerating, but I hear you.” Derrick sighed. “Jurnee, have you Googled Anderson?”
“You know the answer to that. I never Google people.” I crossed my arms and swallowed hard, pushing the tears back. “It’s rude, and people can’t control what’s put online–”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. Your strange ‘never Google people’ policy is weird yet endearing. Allow me to share one observation.”
I walked back into the only other room in the tiny sublet and flopped back down on the bed.
“The man that you brought home last weekend was head over heels for you. He watched every move you made and cheerfully endured you at a Michigan State football game.”
“Yeah. What does that mean?”
“It means you are a crazy person for your precious Green and White. It means he was all-in. It means he sent you a text he needs to explain, but you owe him room to give you that explanation.”
“I–”
“Nope. I know better than almost anyone that you’ve been hurt. I’m not going to allow you to keep carrying that hurt around your neck. So, yes, that was a shitty text, and I understand that it hit you hard. Now, it’s time to ask him to explain himself and listen to his reason.”
“The text says to delete his contact information.” I pouted. “Why would I text him after that?”
“So he can explain himself.”
“Yeah, okay.” Soraya popped into my mind as I made my way back to the bathroom. “Thank you for your advice. I don’t know how I’m going to make it not living next door to you.”
“That’s easy, you’re not.” Derrick joked. “You are going to perish the first time there’s a really big spider.”
“I really am.” Looking around the bathroom for a spider, I stared into the mirror and stuck my tongue out at my reflection. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He paused, “Jurnee, you are going to shine at this coffee shop thing. I know you didn’t plan on Graham investing in your idea, but I’m very proud of you.”
“You have to come visit.” The sadness was clear in my words.
“Duh. You’re living in the greatest city in the world. I’ll be visiting. I have to run. If I’m not ready when he gets here, this man will pout the entire drive.”
Mentally kicking myself for not checking in with how Derrick’s relationship was faring, I inquired. “Where is he taking you today?”
“I don’t think I should tell you.”
“What? Why?”
“We’re going to the cider mill.”
My eyes filled with tears, but for a completely different reason. Holidays were my thing, and our annual trip to the cider mill was a major event in the crispness of September. The selection of the perfect pumpkins from the cider mill’s pumpkin patch that went on for