Page 76 of Off the Post

“Hallo? Ali?”

My response gets stuck in my throat, and I feel like I’m about to vomit. Instead, I inhale deeply and hurl out a slew of words on the exhale.

“Um, hi, yeah, it’s me, Ali. I know you already know that, obviously. I’m calling because I made a huge mistake at work and I need help from all of Tanner’s friends and I’m hoping that you wouldn’t mind helping me out even though I know we’re not together and you obviously don’t want to see me anymore, or whatever, but⁠—”

Soren’s laughter interrupts my verbal spiral, and I cringe. Nice job, Awkward Ali.

“Back up, Ali. What now?” he asks. Just the sound of his voice makes me want to cry.

“Um, which part?”

“The part where you think I don’t want to see you.”

“Well, I mean, you haven’t really texted so, you know, I figured…”

The growl on the other end has me trembling. “Fuck, Ali, I’m sorry. I’ve been… Jesus, fuck. This would be much easier if we could talk in person. Can I see you tonight? Can you come over?”

His question scratches at a nerve, reopening an old wound.

It’s very much like what my ex-boyfriend would say when I’d get frustrated with our situation. He’d keep a distance for days on end and I’d be hanging by a thread, waiting for him to reply or reach out. Then, when we finally connected, Scott would pour on the charm and beg me to see him in person so he could apologize.

It never resolved the problems we had in our relationship. It only made me ultimately give him yet another break and prolong the inevitable. I won’t live like that again. I won’t allow myself to fall so easily for an unavailable man.

“I don’t know if I can. I’m in a big hurry and was only calling to ask you this favor. For the charity.”

“Oh. Sure. Yeah, I see. No problem. Whatever you need from me, you’ve got it. I’m in. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Ali.”

My heart skips a beat and replays what he’s just said.

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do.

Considering I haven’t heard from him in weeks, I’m confused.

“I’m sorry. What?” My voice is almost shrill. “Why?”

“Please,” he pleads. “Come over and let me explain. Or I can meet you wherever you want.”

I blow out a breath, my finger automatically and unconsciously rolling over my eyebrow.

“Fine.” I look at my watch. If I really mean more to him than just a casual hookup, then he can say whatever he has to say in front of my brother. “My place at eight.”

There’s a pause. “Will your brother be there?”

“Likely.”

“Okay then. I’ll see you at eight.”

38

Soren

I stand outside the door of Tanner’s apartment and knock. Within seconds, I hear his loud voice yelling to his sister.

“I’ve got it, Ali-gator.”

When the door opens, Rossy stands on the threshold and cocks his head to the side, then grins. That grin will probably disappear the minute he finds out the reason I’m here.

“My guy,” he greets amiably, grasping my elbow and sliding his hand down my forearm in a dab. “What the hell are you doing here, Wolf?”