Total Control Read Online Free

back off and hope she doesn’t forget about me while she’s gone.” My head dropped and I stared at the ground.
    “Shit! Is this what I’m gonna have to put up with for the next month? You moping around feeling sorry for yourself? C’mon, man. According to Dana, Gia’s got it bad for you and this thirty day separation won’t be shit compared to the ten years you’ve already got invested in her, so focus on the good. Maybe there are some things you can do for her while she’s away that could help her when she gets back. I know you, if you keep busy and have a goal in mind, you can overcome anything. I’ve watched you do it.” My head popped up as ideas started running through me. Trey was right! There were so many things I could do and plan for Gia to keep me busy.
    “Hey , man, you’re right. Thanks for that, I needed a swift kick in the ass. You know you’re as close to a brother as I’ve ever had, and I appreciate it.”
    “You too , bro. Call me when you get back here, I’ll have some beers chillin’. Later.” He hung up. He hated it when I got all sappy.
    So many things ran through my head. When would Gia leave? Would she be back for the Fourth of July? Would she let me take her to California? Could I visit her after the ten days were up? Could I send her stuff? What could I do for her while she’s away? Would she even want me in her life when she gets back? I thought about that last one for a while and it scared me. I had to focus on the good, as Trey had said, and not let the negative pull me down.
    “Hey , you.” Gia joined me on the patio. She sat in the lawn chair across from me. “The arrangements have been made. I fly out Friday and check in on Monday morning. Dana and Jo are going to go with me and fly back on Monday.”
    “That’s great , Gia.” I didn’t know what else to say at that moment. We just sat in awkward silence for a while. “When will you be back?” I finally asked.
    “On July third, just in time for Independence Day!” That made me grin. “Maybe we could make a plan to spend it together?” That made me smile from ear to ear.
    “Thank you . I know you don’t like to make a lot of future plans.”
    “My parents always have a barbeque that day . I’d want to be there, of course, but then maybe we could go watch the fireworks somewhere. How does that sound? Do you think you’ll be up to the dreaded ‘meeting of the parents?’” She said that last part in a deep, low voice that made us both laugh.
    “Of course I’l l be up to it—I can’t wait, actually.”
    “Good, then it’s a date!” It was music to my ears. “Let’s go in and say good-bye —I have a lot of stuff to take care of before I leave.”
    We watched the kids finish their projects for Gia and Lilly showed me around the rest of their home. The way she treated me made me feel like I was a part of their family; I loved that feeling. I couldn’t wait to meet her husband Pete and their parents. We said our good-byes and headed back to Gia’s.
    “I have to call Mr. Evans right away . I hope he understands and will allow me to take a leave of absence so I can have my job when I get back.” She seemed anxious about calling him.
    “I hope he understands and it works out the way you want it to , Gia.” I didn’t want to talk about that stuff. I wanted to talk about us. I wanted to be assured that we were together, and as soon as she got back, we were going to pick up where we left off. I wanted to be with her until she left, doing fun things like we were doing at The Lock. I was thinking selfishly and I knew it, so I just tried to be as supportive as I could.
    “Thanks , Ethan. I want to see my mom and dad, too, and I need to talk to them alone. I think you should head home. We can see each other tomorrow.” I could tell she was being cautious with her words so she didn’t totally break my heart. It gave me a sinking feeling.
    “Okay, ” I said as we pulled up to her place. “Call me