Page 50 of Kane

I let my desperation, my desire, my feelings for Kane get the better of me.

Some friend I am.

I roll over and grab my phone, swiping up to his number. It’s late, but I doubt he’s awake or anything. Which means I could text him and not have to worry about a response until tomorrow. This way he’ll see it when he gets up, and he can take as much time as he wants to respond…

“Good idea, Ryder,” I say to myself as I start typing out my apology.

Ryder: Hey. I know you probably won’t see this until morning. I just wanted to say sorry for earlier.

There, that’s simple enough. Straight to the point. I close the app out, set the phone down, and then let out a low sigh and close my eyes.

And then I hear the unmistakable chime of a text.

My eyes open wide.

There’s no way. It’s probably a spam email or something.

I close my eyes again, and turn over on my side, and then the chime sounds again.

I scramble upright, grab my phone, if only to assure myself it’s not Kane, but…

Kane: I’m sorry, too.

I stare at his text. I know it’s just words on a screen, but I swear I can hear the sadness, the guilt in them like he’s right here. So I tell him something I hope will make him feel slightly better.

Ryder: I did what you said.

Ryder: Ate dinner, showered, got in my comfy bed…

I snap a photo of me from above, lying in bed, and send it off before I can think twice.

I wait for his text, and when nothing comes up, I think maybe he’s fallen asleep. Which is what I should be focusing on right now, considering I have work in four hours.

Kane: Good boy :-)

The smile that forms is more than genuine. My insides twist with excitement.

Ryder: Hope your boss wasn’t too pissed you were late

I watch the text bubble appear and disappear a few times before a message finally comes through.

Kane: Not a work meeting.

Kane: It was fine. Don’t worry.

I settle onto my side, watching the screen.

Ryder: What are you doing up, anyway?

Kane: Can’t sleep. You?

Ryder: Same.

Kane: I hear counting sheep helps.

Ryder: Does it?

I let out a soft chuckle as Kane starts texting sheep emojis, one at a time.