Something In Between: Sequel to On The Edge of Tomorrow

Chapter 23

I tossed my bag beside my desk and flopped down on my bed. I still had to get through two or three hours before I'd hear from Sam. Frustration flared in me. I thought about pulling out my wire to make a pendant, but my fingers twitched with tension, and I knew I wouldn't have the steady hands needed for the twisting.

I mindlessly flicked through my phone, looking for a distraction. I didn't even realize I had pushed call until it was ringing Tim. I thought of hanging up but knew he'd call me back, and I'd have to either tell him it was a butt-dial, which he'd mock, or admit that I'd hung up, which he'd also mock.

"Hey," the voice was familiar and low, but not Tim. "Tim's upstairs, but I'll get him." Billy's voice was apologetic.

"Oh, ok. Thanks," my face flushed at how awkward I felt.

"I," he stumbled over his words, "I didn't want him to miss the call, you know, in case you needed something."

"No, I was just calling because..." my voice dropped out. Should I admit I knew he was coming, that he would be so close to me for the first time in months? What if I told him it had flipped my entire afternoon upside down? If I did, I knew he'd understand. He'd fill me with the calmness only he seemed to provide, but was I allowed that anymore?

"Yeah, Tess is excited to see you. My mom even threatened to come, but she hates to fly." His voice was still jagged but smoothing.

"I'm excited to see Tess, too. We've been talking a lot lately." My muscles tentatively relaxed, but were still unwilling to give up perfect posture.

"Yeah, she showed me that picture from the party. You looked..." There was a pause and a heavy swallow. "You looked beautiful, Lil. But you always do."

"Thanks, Billy." Tears mounted in my eyes.

"Hey, so listen, your dad mentioned he spilled the beans on my staying in touch with him and that you were a little..." His words fell off.

"I was just surprised, is all," I sputtered, wanting to ease the tension I felt in his words.

"It was me; I reached out to him. I just... I read a couple of books, and I thought he'd like them." His words were coming in a rush of over-explanation.

"No, it's fine. I'm glad you're staying in touch. You two have a lot in common. I was happy when your mom reached out to me, too."

"Yeah, she missed you. I'm glad you're staying in touch with her, Tess and Tim, too. I mean, you dumped me, not them." He let out an awkward laugh that hit my face with a wince. "Yeah, so," he moved on quickly, "it was good to..." He paused again, this time thoughtfully. "It was really good to hear your voice, Lil." The way Lil rolled off his tongue ripped into my chest and stole all the air my lungs were holding. "I miss you. Here's Tim."

He was gone, replaced by Tim repeatedly saying my name. I fought for air to respond. "Billy, she's not here. It's just dead air," Tim complained.

"Just give her a minute," I heard Billy in the distance. He still knew me so well.

"I'm here," I weakly muttered. "Sorry, I," my mind whirled, "I dropped the phone."

"Ya klutz," Tim teased.

"How are you, Timmy?" It was a simple question that I knew Tim would run with and allow me time to collect myself. Sure enough, he babbled about the mini tour that Tess had already relayed to me.

"So, are we going to get to see you? Tess will be crushed if not," he warned.

"I'm a definite. I still haven't talked to Sam, but I'll ask him tonight when he calls," I promised again.

"Hey, as long as I get to see you. So, ah, would you want to..." Tim's voice dropped lower. "I mean, he hasn't said anything, but if you were interested..."

"I don't think I'm ready." My voice came as a whisper, as though Billy may hear me half a country away.

"Fair enough." Tim made life easy. "Well, I'll see you in a little over a week. Pick someplace good to eat. Tess will try to convince you of some vegan place, but I want to eat something dead."

"Ew. Tim, that's disgusting," I shot at him.

"Oh, don't tell me you're vegan now?"

"I'm not, but if I had better resolve, I would be. I'd probably be more successful if you were around to remind me when I'm eating something dead."

"Hey, lettuce was alive at some point," Tim argued back.

"You can be a real ass sometimes, Timmy."

"What can I say, Lil? It's part of my charm. I'll see you soon."

"Sure will; love you."

"Love you too," and then the line went dead.