Page 31

No!
You know the saying, I feel like a ping pong ball being batted around?
Yeah, this feels a thousand times worse than that.
“I, um, I don’t think she’s up for it tonight, Dad.”
Ping!
Wait…
I grit my teeth. Patience has never been my thing. I’m more of a go into something, guns blazing kind of guy. I type a response.
Been waiting.
Those damn gray dots are back to haunt me again. They flash then stop, flash then stop. Again. And again. And a third time.
I collapse on the chair across from my dad, covering my eyes with my hand.
“I’ve never seen you like this, Max. Hanging on the edge of your seat, waiting for a girl.” He smirks, his eyes still closed. “Do you want me to put on some Taylor Swift for you?”
I throw my head back and let out a loud chuckle. Oh, Christ. Does that mean we’re actually on the same wavelength? That’s fucking frightening.
Ping!
OK, I want you to come over. Smiley face emoticon.
“Sounds like you might be wrong. If she keeps sending those texts, she must want to see you, too.” Dad murmurs, closing his eyes.
I narrow my eyes at the screen, waiting. No gray dots appear. Thank God. I still watch for a few more seconds before typing another response.
Is that your final answer?
Laughing emoticon. Yes. No lifelines for me. I kind of gave up on them when you came back around.
I guess that’s a good thing since I’m outta lifelines myself.
“Go,” Dad murmurs.
“Are you sure?” I stand up from the chair, rake a hand through my hair, and look around. “I can tell her I’ll be over later. Why don’t I just—?”
“Max.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s your time. Don’t leave her hanging again.”
I nod. “You’ll call if anything changes?”
“I promise.” Dad settles deeper into the cushions, resting his hands on his chest again.
Still like a corpse.
I block the thought from my mind. We both know the end is near, although it’s still not clear exactly whose end it might be.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Not too soon, I hope.” He snickers, and it’s followed by a hacking cough.