Between Friends Read Online Free Page B

probably hoping I didn’t notice as well.
    While we ate, we visited the past, talked about old friends and new ones. He told me about his recent promotions and how he’d made a comfortable life in New Orleans.
    â€œTrinity is never moving out, you know that right?” I said, when he mentioned his sister.
    He laughed in agreement. “Yeah, you’re probably right. How’s your sister?”
    â€œIndia is still India and still playing by her own rules.”
    â€œShe still in school?” he asked, shoving a piece of steak into his mouth.
    â€œOf course she is. She wouldn’t be India if she wasn’t taking some class somewhere.” I laughed.
    I truly believed my sister was trying to make college her career. Other than occasional work-study programs, the money that our grandfather left us, and the fact that our father had enough foresight to be well insured before he died, she’d never held down a regular job.
    I asked, “What’s up with Camille, y’all ready to walk down the aisle?”
    He chuckled. “Excuse me?”
    I smiled. “You heard me. You and Camille? Married?”
    â€œNo wedding bells this way, we stopped seeing each other a little while ago.”
    I rolled my eyes. “What’s up with that?”
    He smiled and took a sip of his orange juice. “So,” he started, “how’s your little boy? What’s his name again?”
    â€œOh so I guess we changing the subject?” I asked.
    â€œYou would be guessing right.”
    I took a sip of my coffee. “Cameron. His name is Cameron.”
    â€œCameron, that’s right,” he repeated. “Hopefully, I get to see him before I leave. Last time I was home he was still a baby and I definitely wanna stop by and holler at your mom.”
    I nodded and smiled. “Definitely. Last time you came I didn’t even get see you, I had to hear about it secondhand.”
    â€œI know that was my fault. I came in to handle some things for my mom and I dipped back out. How’s your grandmother?” he asked.
    â€œShe’s okay. Last winter she fell and broke her hip so Mama moved her in with her.”
    â€œOh wow, I’m sorry to hear that.”
    â€œShe was outside on the ground for almost an hour before someone realized she was there and came to help her.”
    He shook his head and took a drink of his orange juice. “Wow. Well it’s a good thing she’s with your mom now.”
    Sitting there with him I had so many things going through my mind—emotions that I didn’t recognize and some I knew all to well. I knew how much I was risking, sitting here with him, but it felt good to be around him again. I missed my best friend; I missed talking with him like we used to do. Throughout college he was constantly a shoulder for me when it came to Lincoln. He was always good at picking me up and dusting me off, and assuring me that things would always work out—eventually.
    My thoughts were interrupted by his voice.
    â€œWell I’m really glad things are good with you.”
    I smiled up at him. “Yeah, things are pretty good. I can’t really complain.”
    His face softened. “Then seriously, I really am happy for you.”
    â€œDon’t get it twisted, we have our issues but what couple doesn’t? His hours are crazy, but we make it work.”
    He took a bite of his steak. “I don’t think I could handle being responsible for anyone else.”
    â€œSo you don’t think you’ll move back at all?”
    â€œI doubt it,” he said between bites. “There’s nothing here for me.”
    I sank back in my seat and looked at him. Different emotions took jabs at me with his statement, my mind was cloudy and I was crossing lines that had been drawn in the sand a long time ago.
    He held his hands out for me to take, and I did. I looked up into his eyes and was surprised to find sympathy living