Page 103 of Secrets and Lies
West: I don’t believe you
I chuckle again. The funny thing is that I would tell West that he’s been texting with me if he asked, but he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to know, and I’m not about to spoil it. Not while I’m still having fun.
Anthony: that’s fair. I don’t exactly give off the most trustworthy vibes
West: I’m just going to call you Sam
Sam? Who the fuck is Sam?
I don’t like the flare of jealousy that hits out of nowhere, but I do my best to ignore it. I’ve never been jealous over anyone before, not once in my entire life, and there’s no reason to start now. I shouldn’t care that Sam could be a past crush or one of his exes, or maybe even someone he has a thing for right now.
More jealousy curls in my stomach, mixing with something that feels a lot like possession, only darker.
Anthony: why Sam?
West: not sure. It just kind of popped into my head just now
West: it’s the name of a character on one of my favorite shows. And it’s one of those generic names that can be anyone
West: It’s also less weird than Mr X
Anthony: and it’s gender neutral so people will probably assume you’re talking to a girl if they happen to see it
West: I never even thought about that. I should have, but it never occurred to me to pick a unisex name for *that* reason
Amthony: so you’re going to call me Sam in your phone?
West: I was going to
West: but now Sam doesn’t really fit anymore
Anthony: don’t call me Sam
West: why not?
Anthony: I don’t like it
West: I should call you Sam *because* you don’t like it
West: great, now I’m back to square one because we’ve said it so many times in the last minute that it doesn’t even look like a name anymore
Anthony: I take it you’re still going to keep me in your contacts as Mr X
West: technically you’re in here as X and I just add the mr part when I think about you
West: but I’m not sure if X is less or more weird than Mr X and that’s why you need a new name so I can stop thinking about this
Anthony: it sounds like you think about me a lot
West: not you, just your name
Anthony: same thing
West: no its not
West: you’re annoying
Anthony: maybe, but you keep texting so you must like it
