Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90768 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Richie: Welcome to my hell.
6
Seth
Richie and I have been messaging for two months now, and I can’t get enough.
Since mentioning my theory about being demi, I broke the barrier of whatever it was we had going on, and our conversations went from fun and flirty to deep and serious, and now I’m waiting for Richie to tap out. Two months is a lot of time to invest in someone who might not even be interested.
Will the possibility of never getting sex be too much for him to gamble on?
Ah, shit. I definitely shouldn’t have said anything.
Probably.
He said we’d do this together, and every day since he hasn’t shown signs of taking that back. I constantly want to message him, but then I think about what Emma said about being needy, and it makes me hold off.
Why do relationships have to be so complicated?
Maybe if I was built like everyone else, it’d be so much easier.
But then …
I wouldn’t be chatting with him at all if that was the case.
A tiny thrill trickles through me whenever I catch sight of his name, and that has to be a good sign, right? That I might be making that connection I need.
I really, really want to message him.
Instead, I use whatever willpower I have to finish grabbing my stuff to head out and meet Zach at Bean There. I swear I spend more time at that café than the one on the UVM campus these days.
Then my phone buzzes.
Richie: Okay, either you slept in, had back to back classes, then a full afternoon as well, or … you’ve forgotten how to type. Radio silence all day? That’s so unlike you, Einstein.
I might as well go with honest. After all, if I want to test this connection, I need to give him the real me.
Einstein: I’m trying to play it cool. Remember the ex I told you about? Turns out she thought I was ‘needy’ so naturally I’m second guessing every move here.
Richie: What if I told you I liked needy?
Einstein: I’d ask how badly you want to get laid.
Richie: The fact I was up until 2am texting a dude that might never want that should answer your question.
Umm, hello, butterflies. My lips pull up in the corner, remembering the way I struggled to keep my eyes open so I could read one more message. I can’t remember the last time I stayed up half the night texting—high school, maybe? There are only a few minutes before I need to leave, but I drop down on my couch and punch out a reply.
Einstein: Can I ask why you haven’t run away yet?
Richie: Looking for a compliment?
Einstein: I could be.
Richie: Okay, way to put a guy on the spot. It’s sort of hard to explain, I guess. Most of the time when you meet someone, it’s their body or their face or their ass that gets your attention. We don’t have that. You’re cagey and low on details, so I don’t really know you, but I do in a different way.
Aww, that’s sweet. He sends a stream of messages before I can reply.
Richie: Wait. I read that back and it sounds dumb.
I don’t even think it made sense.
Sorry. Let’s pretend I said you’re cool and your messages make me smile and leave it at that.
My gut flips hard as I read those last words. At least I’m not the only one sitting here with a dopey-ass grin.
Einstein: I get the impression you’re a total dork. I like it.
Richie: Interesting. If you had to guess, what would you say I look like?
Einstein: Well according to your photo, you have some solid abs, but I’m thinking you’re a bigger guy with a baby face and would be the type to open the door for your dates.
Richie: Is that what you’re into?
My alarm beeps obnoxiously, reminding me it’s time to get moving. I hurry to grab my keys, but even after I lock my apartment and head for the car, I can’t bring myself to end the conversation.
Einstein: I don’t know if it’s a demi thing or a me thing, but I don’t have a type. At least, with women. Jury’s still out on guys.
I climb in the car, and when his reply doesn’t come straightaway, I wonder if that was the wrong answer. Maybe he wanted specifics.
The thing is, Richie has given me enough to find out exactly who he is. The UVM website has the hockey team listed, and if I really wanted to know who I’m talking to, I could easily go look. I’ve been close a few times.
I’m holding strong though. Letting this thing between us happen naturally.
I lock my phone and back out of my parking space. Of course, I’m barely on the road for a minute when Richie writes back, and it takes a stern reminder of the road rules to stop me from grabbing my phone and checking it anyway.