Page 21 of Roar for Me
“Anytime. And I’m not laughing at you or your attraction to her. It’s funny because I had no clue before this. You know, she’s not married anymore.”
“I’m aware.”
“Why don’t you ask her out?”
Duncan squinted his eyes at his suitcase in the backseat, then looked at Mike. “Because I live in California?”
“Long-distance is easier these days. Emily goes away for conferences all the time, and we video chat every night.”
Duncan ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m not looking for a relationship. I got a business to run.”
Mike’s hand clamped down on his shoulder. “That’s a lame excuse, and you know it. You should go for it. What do you have to lose?”
Duncan heaved a sigh. “I don’t know if I can survive having my heart ripped out and stomped on again.”
Mike’s mouth dropped open. “What … happened?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Last night was fun. Let’s just leave it at that.” Pain radiated from his eyes as he patted his friend on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”
Someone Like You
Aurora’s phone lit up on her desk. She had a text from Duncan. But instead of a link to yet more decorations, to her surprise, it was a picture: A meme about the musicalWicked. “Defy all the gravity!” said a tiny Elphaba. Laughing out loud, Aurora fished through her Pinterest board for a funny article she had seen the day before. She sent a link to it in response, “19 Jokes Only True Theater Kids Understand.” Next thing she knew, Duncan was calling.
“Hello?”
He met her greeting with uproarious laughter. “These are amazing! You have to show this to the rest of the committee.”
“Maybe at the next meeting. I only have yours and Jen’s number.”
“What? Why’s that?” Duncan’s voice got quiet. “You were always so close with Dave. I figured you’d at least have his number.”
“No. When Dave transferred colleges, we lost touch.” Aurora shook her head. The rejection from her friend ghosting her hadn’t stung her since she’d talked to Katie about it. “It’s not important. It can wait for the meeting. I just thought you’d find it funny.”
“Well, you were right.”
“Good,” Aurora said with a smile. “I should probably get back to work. My lunch is almost over.”
“Sure thing. Um, do you think you can be online tonight?”
Aurora sat up in her seat. “Did you find something else for decor?”
“Err, no… I… I just thought we could do some more catching up. Chat as friends, not just committee members.”
“Sure, I can be online after eight.”
“Great! I’ll see you then.”
“Bye, Duncan!” Aurora hung up her phone and studied it. Duncan considered her a friend? That was news.
Duncan clicked the button to ring goddessofthebrokendawn. Aurora came on the screen, sipping a glass of red wine. “Friday night happy hour?”
“Hi, and not usually. Tomorrow’s the anniversary of Jeff’s death, and wine helps me sleep the night before we visit the cemetery. It’s become a tradition.” Her shoulders shrugged onscreen.
“I’m sorry. If this is a bad night, we could chat another time instead.”
“No, it’s probably a good idea to chat tonight. I don’t like drinking alone.” Her head dipped as she looked away.
“I understand. Neither do I.” He shook away the memories of trying to drown out the pain once Mariah had sent the divorce papers.
