Page 28 of Catching Kyle

It’s a text from a number I don’t recognize.

“If you want to see me, let me know – D.”

And then my blood starts to boil.

I shove my phone back into my pocket.

“Michael, what’s wrong?”

“David’s what’s wrong,” I say, not even bothering to stop the tears.

“David lies,” she says. “You said to tell you that whenever—"

“I know what I said,” I choke out. “But I’m too goddamn stupid.”

She shakes her head. “Michael, no. That’s not—let’s go home.”

“No, I’m good,” I say, looking for a particular someone I saw earlier. “I saw you dancing with someone. You’ve said how hard it is to find someone you like. Go back and dance with her.”

“You don’t sound good,” she says. “I want to make sure you get home safe.”

“I’m fine,” I say, stepping away from her. “There’s someone I want to see.”

“Michael—”

“Really,” I say, turning to her. “Really, Amani.”

She sighs. She can’t argue with me now. “Please tell me when you get home safe, okay?”

“I will,” I say, wiping my eyes. “Just go have fun with that girl, please. Don’t worry about me.”

But I turn around before she does. And that’s when I spot who I’m looking for. I march up to his group, not even caring how I may look or how they may see me. There’s only one thing I want to do right now.

“Michael,” Greg says when he sees me. “I was hoping to catch up with you.”

“You wanna come over?” I ask. I don’t have time for small talk.

He shuts his mouth, then squints at me, then smiles—surprised, confused, accepting. “Right now?”

I shrug. “It’s you or someone else. And I’d prefer it was you.”

He laughs, flattered. He sets his empty drink down on the table. “I’d be down for some fun.”

When we get to my apartment, I send a quick text to Amani and clean myself up.

“Please be safe tonight,” she responds. And I just send a heart back.

“You wanna record this?” Greg asks. “Could be cool.”

I look at my camera and ring light standing to the side of my bed. I shrug. “Why the hell not.”

And then we get to it.

Sex with Greg isn’t as great as I remember, but that’s probably because I’m sad. And furious. And so, so tired.

I should be over this. I shouldn’t be hurt by the asshole that David is after all this time. It doesn’t even feel like I’ve taken a step back. It feels like I never took a step forward.

I see the camera blink red as Greg rails me from behind. At the very least, I’ll get paid for my misery.