The Long Game?

Chapter One

Chapter One

It had been two months since the ski lodge. What does all that mean? I've had two months to sit in silence while I obsess over the possibility of a future with Josh. My feelings for him sure felt a lot like a crush when I put it like that. Of course, when he and I were together it felt far from a dumb middle school obsession. Alone, things were different. None of that mattered, though. Finally knowing how Josh felt about me changed things. He had confessed after all this time and all I felt was frustration. If we both liked each other, why couldn't we be together?

Three years. That's what stood between the two of us now. Not one sided love, not false hope...only three little years. Three years meant nothing to me, but it meant everything to him.

Putting those three years aside, he and I had agreed we wouldn't talk for a while after the ski lodge. We wanted to confirm our feelings were real and not a spur of the moment romantic confession. Taking a few months to think represented yet another barrier Josh used to prevent himself from falling down a hole with someone a few years younger than him. I didn't mind because I had faith that what he felt for me was real and wouldn't change. Despite all that, it still didn't feel great to not talk to him for eight long weeks.

That's why seeing him step through the Matthews' front door felt extra exciting that Friday afternoon after school. Lucas was on his way to retrieve Riley and I for a movie, but I dreaded the event. Ever since the ski lodge, things had changed between the three of us. I could tell Lucas didn't want anything to change and Riley likely didn't either, but things still did. I third-wheeled on all their little "dates" and they ignored how uncomfortable I appeared. Seeing Josh stumble through the door gave me hope for an alternative plan.

"Hey, I could get used to stopping over here whenever I want," Josh grinned. He sat down on the Matthews' couch, reaching for the TV remote.

Riley and I sat at the kitchen table, observing as Josh made himself at home. Riley still seemed uncomfortable with the idea of me hypothetically dating her uncle. However, we had come to an understanding that she needed to respect how we felt about each other. To display that approval, Riley wiggled her eyebrows at me. She then whispered, "Now's your chance to put a start to the long game."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't think that's how the long game works, Riles."

Before either of us had a chance to actually greet Josh, Lucas stepped through the wide open front door. "Ready for movie night?" He grinned and made direct eye contact with Riley. He greeted Josh with a slight nod.

I looked to Riley to see if there was a chance of getting out of movie night. "Mind if I skip it tonight?" Being my best friend, Riley could tell my sudden change in motivation had nothing to do with their choice of movie or even with the two of them. Rather she knew it had to be the abrupt arrival of her gorgeous uncle.

Riley raised an eyebrow and Lucas looked between Josh and I. Before I could justify myself further, Lucas chimed in. "You'll miss a great movie. But go ahead." He smiled and took Riley's hand. "Have a good night, Maya."

It amazed me how sweet Lucas still behaved after everything that happened between the three of us. Riley never got jealous or lashed out at either of us for remaining best friends. I was beyond grateful for her understanding because I didn't know what I would do without Lucas by my side.

The moment Riley and Lucas exited the Matthews' apartment, I made myself comfortable on the couch next to Josh. Without saying a word, we moved close together as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "So this is what the long game feels like, huh?" Josh asked, finally breaking the silence. Something in his voice made it known that he hadn't enjoyed those eight weeks without talking either.