Not Even Close (A New Generation)

by Elizabeth Reyes

  Vannah explained about the picture she’d sent Nena of Byron’s license plate just in case. Then how she called her the moment he left. But said it was just a ride home and she was just playing it safe. Except she hadn’t said anything more to her about Byron. “I’ll never hear the end of it. She already riles me enough about Mat and I’m not even into him.”

  “So, how’d you get his number?”

  “Oh my God, that’s the best part. I still can’t believe I did it.”

  Chuckling at Xochitl’s reaction to the reminder of her throwing up, Vannah explained about Byron’s gym clothes. “I almost didn’t do it. I swear my heart was beating a mile a minute. It’s why I didn’t even think when I mentioned Bad Boys, so I just blurted it out in a way that didn’t really feel like I was asking for his number. More like a way to get in touch so I can get his clothes back to him.”

  Feeling her face heat again she told Xochitl about how for a moment she thought he –wasn’t going to give it to her, and she began to back pedal until he started giving it to her.

  “Oh, wow so this is perfect.” Xochitl smiled big. “You don’t even have to worry about seeming too eager to contact him, because you can actually admit you wanted to get his clothes back to him as soon as possible. I’ll wash them for you, girl, since it is my puke all over them anyway.” Xochitl groaned and Vannah laughed in response. “What a first impression this guy has of me now. So, all he said was that he saw me with two guys and decided to pull over and rescue me? What if one of them had been my boyfriend or something?”

  “A boyfriend would’ve been more worried about taking care of you as wasted as you were. Not being all over you, like the girl inside said that guy was.” Vannah inhaled deeply before exhaling out slowly, feeling a silly smile spread across her face. “It must’ve been obvious you were in trouble and Byron couldn’t just drive by and do nothing about it. That says a lot about him, right? I mean there were tons of other guys around and driving by and none of them saw fit to stop and check on you.”

  Xochitl who’d been busy tousling her wet hair with a towel, stopped suddenly, and turned to stare at Vannah mouth agape, but didn’t say anything.

  “What?” Vannah asked curiously.

  “You think he recognized me?”

  Vannah peered at her. “From the times we’ve run across him—”

  “No. As the friend of the girl he’s been eyeing for weeks? You think that’s why he stopped?”

  Feeling her insides light up suddenly, Vannah shook her head. “Not necessarily—”

  “No, that’s gotta be it.” Xochitl took a seat on the bed with Vannah looking excited for the first time since she’d groaned her way out of the shower. “Think about it, Vannah. How many drunk girls did we see stumbling around in the time we were there? How many other drunk girls could he have seen in that slow drive he was on in front of all those frat houses? It can’t just be his thing to go around saving random drunk girls for no reason. You’re the reason he saw fit to stop and check on me.”

  Swallowing hard, Vannah stared at Xochitl blankly, trying to calm the butterflies in her belly. “Could be,” she offered softly. “I guess it’s possible.”

  “Oh, I know it is,” Xochitl said with such confidence the butterflies in Vannah’s belly swarmed out of control. “Tell you what, text him.”

  “What?” Vannah gasped. “No. It’s too soon.”

  “No, it’s not. Tell him I asked you to thank him for me.”

  Vannah reached for her phone in front of her, pulling it behind her back as if her friend might reach for it and text him herself. “How’s that gonna prove anything?”

  “Just do it, please? I really would like to thank him, and I’d rather do it this way than have to face him ever again.”

  Bringing the phone around in front of her again cautiously, Vannah glanced down at the screen. Her heart was already racing just thinking about it, but her head was egging her on like it had last night. Be bold, Vannah. You can do this. What’s the big deal? You’re just passing on a much deserved thank you from your very grateful friend.

  “Okay.” She scrolled through her texts before she’d chicken out.

  Putting the text together quickly, she read it back once out loud. “Morning. Xochitl said she’s very grateful for what you did last night and asked me to thank you for her.”

  Xochitl had barely nodded in approval when Vannah hit the send button because she was already having second thoughts.

  “I still don’t see how this will prove anything.” Vannah set her phone down in front of her trying to act like her insides weren’t a hot mess now. “All he’s gonna say is you’re welcome or something to that effect.”

  As soon as she said it, her phone dinged and Vannah could swear her heart did too.

  “That was fast,” Xochitl smirked leaning into Vannah. “Is it him?”

  It was, and Vannah’s heart was literally thudding against her chest now. She nodded hitting the text preview, so it opened completely, and read it out loud.

  “Crazy I was just about to text you to ask how she was doing. Wow. Took me a second there to figure out that wasn’t a typo. Is that how you spell her name? I would’ve never guessed. Tell her not a problem. She better now?”

  “Good, good,” Xochitl said smiling big. “That’s an invitation to respond. Let’s keep this going.”

  Vannah tittered more out of nerves than anything. “What should I say?”

  “Okay, tell him the truth. I’m hungover big time, but also add that I’m very embarrassed about the whole thing. Make it sound extreme. Oh, I know! Use the word mortified. Say I’m completely mortified.”

  “Okay.” Still not sure what this would prove, Vannah begun putting something together. Then once again read it out loud. “Yeah, I said the same thing about her name when I first saw it written but it’s an Aztec name and that’s how you spell it. She’s hung over of course, but otherwise physically she’s fine. Emotionally however, she’s completely mortified.”

  Xochitl nodded in approval but lifted her hand up to halt Vannah from sending it immediately like she had the first time. “Can you also do a little damage control and squeeze in that I’ve never been that drunk before in my life.”

  Snickering nervously again, Vannah explained why she was certain he knew that already, given his smug attitude about knowing this was her first time away from mommy and daddy. He was likely thinking the same about Xochitl. But she did add the comment and sent the text off quickly.

  Once again, his response was a quick one. The butterflies Vannah had been feeling were now accompanied by some major tingling as she read the text out loud again.

  “Cool, I’m glad she’s okay. But tell her she shouldn’t be mortified. First time drinkers at frat parties, are susceptible to her outcome. There’s plenty every time.” Vannah stopped to let Xochitl know the word every was in all caps before going on. “No one’s gonna remember her from all the other drunk girls out there last night.”

  “Perfect,” Xochitl said bringing her hands to her big smiling mouth and practically squealed. “He walked right into that! That’s exactly what I was hoping he’d say. Well, anything around those lines.”

  Peering at her for a second, Vannah glanced back down and reread the text trying to figure out what she meant.

  “Okay, okay,” Xochitl stood up and started pacing the room. “Write back agreeing with him that I shouldn’t be mortified. Tell him you told me the same thing and then add something casual about how thankful you are that of all the drunk girls he could’ve helped out, he chose to help me.” Xochitl stopped sharply and turned to Vannah. “Scratch that. Scratch that. Don’t say he chose me. Might make it too obvious what you’re implying. We want him to offer an explanation as to why I was the lucky one he decided to save out of all the other drunk girls out there last night.”

  On top of all the madness going on in Vannah’s belly, she could feel it tightening up now. This felt sort of sneaky. Kind of mean like they were
setting him up to be forced to confess he’d stopped because of Vannah. But then maybe he deserved it. He’d been pretty smug with her last night for a minute there.

  “Instead,” Xochitl went on without a hitch. “Keep the part about agreeing with him that I shouldn’t be mortified. But tell him you told me I must’ve had an angel on my shoulder to have been there at the perfect time for him to observe what was going on. Because if you think about it, Vannah, it really is the truth. Regardless of why he decided to help me out, he wouldn’t have had the choice to make, had the timing not been perfect, right?”

  Gulping, Vannah nodded feeling better about putting it this way instead of the first. She read it off to Xochitl before hitting send again.

  This time he didn’t respond right away. Xochitl went about her business of finishing drying her hair and started putting on makeup. She went on about how completely convinced she was that Byron had only stopped because he’d recognized her as Vannah’s friend.

  Ignoring the tightening knot in her belly with each excruciating second that went on and her phone remained silent, Vannah pretended to listen to Xochitl’s every word. Truth was, she was already wondering as perceptive—not to mention annoyed as Byron had been about her lying—had he picked up on what she might be implying and maybe he was now annoyed by that too? Would he be rude? It’d already been established he could be intense as hell.

  Her phone dinging made her flinch. Xochitl turned to her mid-sentence with those excitable eyes. “Is that him?”

  “Um-hmm.” Vanna clicked on the text and braced herself as she read it out loud. “Yeah, luck or something was on her side for sure. I almost didn’t stop. Those guys yelling down from the window is what got me to pull over.”

  Glancing up when Xochitl sucked in a quick breath, Vannah was just in time to see her shudder. “Okay, duly noted. I will never drink like that again. Hell . . .” She touched her head with a groan. “The way I feel now, I may never drink again period. I feel like absolute shit. If it weren’t for my aunt being in town today and having already committed to meeting her for breakfast, I’d stay in bed all day.”

  That reminded Vannah that Nena would be passing through again today like she had days prior. She and her friend had stopped by on their way to Santa Barbra a few days before. They were headed back home today, and Nena wanted to stop by and meet Vannah again for a late lunch.

  “So, what do I say?” Vannah was on her feet now because she wanted to get to that laundry before getting ready to meet with Nena.

  “I still say his stopping had everything to do with you. But just reiterate how lucky I was that he did and that again I’m very grateful for it. Don’t tell him this but we’ll have to get him a little something, aside from his clean clothes as a token of our gratitude. Just let me think on it because it’s gotta be something good. Something kinda cutesy and personal, that shows a little more effort than a Starbucks gift card or something. And it’s gotta be obvious it’s more from you than me.”

  Xochitl winked as she walked back into the bathroom. “Kinda cutesy?” Vannah whispered as she glanced down at her phone feeling her stomach stiffen. “And personal?”

  Trying her best not to overthink it, Vannah decided to get started on the laundry and call Nena back. Nothing beat talking to her sister to get her mind off of things. Especially since she’d already decided she wasn’t mentioning Byron to Nena unless she absolutely had to.

  Nine

  Best Decision or Huge Mistake?

  Byron

  To his surprise but even more unexpected, his disappointment, Byron hadn’t heard back from Vannah since Saturday morning. After their short back and forth about her and her friend’s appreciation for what he’d done, she hadn’t texted him again. Since she had mentioned she’d be doing laundry that morning, he’d sort of expected to have heard back from her about his clothes by now. She had seemed eager to get them cleaned up and back to him. But here it was almost noon on Monday and still nothing.

  Frowning as he tried to focus on his work, Byron chided himself inwardly. If anything, he should be grateful she obviously wasn’t looking for excuses to chat even via text. His ass needed to stop thinking about it already before he gave into the idiotic temptation of texting her. It’d already been determined that getting involved with her would not be a good idea. Even if just in a friendly way like she admitted was the only way she got involved with anyone. He was only grateful now that unlike Vannah and her friend, he sucked at cyber stalking. He’d stupidly given into the temptation, now that he knew her name and a little more about her to do what they had and try to find out more about her. But he’d come up with nothing and thankfully he came to his senses and cut that shit out real quick.

  Byron had finally managed to get lost in his work when he got the text. Nine and Orlando were at a car auction and Byron was expecting an update about what they might’ve scored. So, he’d fully anticipated the text to be from one of them. Instead, he nearly swallowed his gum when he saw the name on the text preview. Clicking on it a little too quick he took a deep breath before reading it.

  Heya, will you be at work today? Your clothes are ready.

  Aware that he was already smiling too big, but was incapable of doing anything about it, Byron responded to let her know he was already there. He wondered if she knew he lived right above the shop. That even when he was home, technically he was still at work. His phone buzzed again and once again he quickly clicked the text and read it.

  Perfect. You’ll be there for at least another hour, yes? I can stop by then and drop them off.

  Trying to keep his cool and make less of this than his pounding heart was already doing, Byron responded with a simple, see you then. As he rushed off to the bathroom to rinse off his dusty face and wash his greasy hands, he chuckled when he looked in the mirror. Keep his cool? What a joke. She said an hour. What the hell was wrong with him? He ran a wet hand through his hair and then dried his hands shaking his head.

  Determined he was going to be cool when she got there, take his clothes back and just be done with it, he walked back out into the lobby of the auto shop. Not wanting to get all mucked up again before she got there, he worked on the schedule instead. After what felt like the longest hour of his life, he saw her pull into the parking lot. He half expected her to be with Xochitl, but to his relief she was alone. As busy as the shop stayed, he was grateful he’d been enjoying one of those rare moments where the lobby was empty, and all the guys were working on something outside.

  Running his hand through his hair again, he watched as she stepped out of her car holding a paper bag in one hand and her purse in the other. She closed the driver side door but then opened the back door and pulled something else out. Byron had been too caught up with her long legs and the very high wedge sandals she wore, he didn’t immediately notice what she’d pulled out of the backseat.

  Gulping at the sight of her making her way to the shop door in her short denim shorts and those hot ass shoes, Byron once again attempted to be cool. He focused on that other thing she was holding. Best he could make of it from where he was standing, was that it appeared to be an aluminum tray of some kind covered with foil. She stuck his clothes in an aluminum pan?

  “Hey,” she said smiling beautifully as she walked into the lobby.

  “Hey.” Byron’s eyes zoomed in on the slightest peek of her midriff just above her shorts button.

  While the soft lavender crop top didn’t quite reach the top of her shorts, allowing for just a tease of her soft skin underneath, it was nowhere near as short as the one she’d worn at the gym the day he’d seen her with the meathead.

  “Here you are.” She handed him the paper bag she was holding.

  Shaking off the reminder of her and the meathead at the gym before he could start unreasonably grinding his teeth, Byron took the bag with his clothes.

  “Thanks.”

  Focusing instead on the tray she held in her other hand, he glanced at it curiously then at her. Alr
eady her face tinged with color and she cleared her throat. “Xochitl and I thought we should get you a little something as a gesture of our gratitude for what you did Friday night.” Immediately feeling panicked, Byron started to protest that they didn’t have to, but she went on quickly. “Oh, it’s nothing big. We had no idea what you might be into, but we figured everyone is into food. It’s just a small tray of enchiladas suizas.” She shrugged smiling sweetly. “Kind of my specialty. So, really it was no trouble at all.” She handed him the tray that wasn’t a small tray at all. “The tray is still kind of hot. I prepared them last night but didn’t put them in the oven until I text you to make sure you’d be here.”

  Byron took the tray and peeked inside under the foil. They looked and smelled heavenly. “You made these yourself?”

  Not sure how much longer he could watch her blush before he took her face in his hands and kissed it, Byron smiled at her timid expression, glad now that his hands were full.

  “I did.” She smiled with a nod. “Xochitl would’ve helped, but she can barely toast her bread without setting off the smoke detectors.” She giggled making Byron smile even bigger. “I made them, but she was on cleanup duty. So, it was a team effort.”

  Taking in the enchiladas again, Byron noted just how many she’d made. “This isn’t a small tray, Vannah. That’s a lot of enchiladas. You sure you don’t want to take some back with you?”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head indulging him with that sweet yet nervous laughter again. “Xochitl made sure I made enough for us too. I figured since I’d be dropping them off at your job, you might want to share with your co-workers.” She glanced out to where the guys were working. “Trust me, I’ve cooked for enough guys to know all about how much they can grub. I made sure to make enough.”

  Glancing back at him, their eyes met and her previously bright eyes widened in question—or alarm. It wasn’t even until that moment, that Byron realized how hard his expression had gone. Fortunately, before his dumb ass could start up again with any stupid and unwarranted remarks, she added more to that last comment that shouldn’t have been so unreasonably annoying.