Imperfect Truth(45)
I go to type him this sentiment and notice he’s no longer signed on. Disappointment hits me as I realize he didn’t even say goodbye. My phone rings.
“Hi.”
“Whoa, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Spill.” Her voice is insistent. I have no choice but to let the words flow.
“Ryder.”
“Who? Really? I thought you told me he was perfect?”
“Well, sometimes he just,” I pause then whisper, “disappears.”
“So?”
She obviously doesn’t get it. I jump up from my stool, leaving my computer on top of the island in the kitchen. I start to make my way out of the kitchen, but I soon digress, stopping at the kitchen table and plopping down on the chair instead. Kicking up my legs, I stretch them across the chair next to me, making a makeshift ottoman, and I continue to speak.
“Like in the middle of a conversation,” I clarify while biting my cheek.
“Oh, that’s kind of rude,” she agrees.
“I mean it’s not like that, it’s just weird. He used to be there all the time, but recently,” I pause, breathing deeply, “he’s kind of MIA.”
“Well, didn’t you say he is writing a book?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that’s work right? So give him a break.” I know she’s trying to reassure me, I guess she makes sense.
“I’m being crazy, right?” I sit up stiffly as I speak. I’m totally not all there…I might be losing it…okay… not might.
“Yeah pretty nuts.”
“Ha. So, what’s up, why you calling?” My voice is now serious.
“Wow, cranky much?”
“Oh yeah, because you are one to talk?”
“Okay, point taken. I just wanted to check up on you. When does Alexandre get back?”
“Today,” I say as I look toward my computer, wondering if anyone sent me a message.
“Excited?” Her words break me out of the distracted state I’m in.
“Yea, ecstatic.” I deadpan.
“You sound it. You kind of sound like someone killed your dog.”
“I don’t have a dog.” I change my voice, making it sound like a child whining.
“My point.”
“Well I’m going to go play on the computer. I actually have like three reviews to do, and I’m totally procrastinating.”
“You? Procrastinate?”
“You’re an ass.”
“I know, isn’t it great?”
“Okay, love you, Jules, I’ll text you later.”
I go back to my computer and sign into Amazon to type up one of my stellar reviews. Two five star books and one four star. It was a good reading weekend with Alexandre gone. After I’m done, I pull up the window for Facebook. I see that Ryder is actually on some soap box rant. It’s all over my feed. Apparently, and I don’t really understand, but the topic of him being a male or not is all over the feed. He states that due to the nature of his “real” life and who his family is, he won’t show his face. I feel a wave of elation knowing that I know what he actually looks like. I mean of course it’s an accident, a mere coincidence, but then I think of what Alexandre always says to me. Don’t mistake coincidence for fate. I know from the bottom of my being there is a reason Ryder walked into my life.
A message window pops on the bottom of my screen.
Abby Hale: Omg!! Do you see the drama?
Ava Readsalot: Oh yeah I did LOL.
Abby Hale: I mean for crying out loud, ridiculous!!!
Ava Readsalot: He is a man, so it’s ridiculous.
Abby Hale: He should totally just post a picture.
Ava Readsalot: He doesn’t want anyone in the book world to know what he looks like.
Abby Hale: Well that’s a lie.
Ava Readsalot: What do you mean?
Abby Hale: So many women know what he looks like.
Ava Readsalot: Really?
Abby Hale: Umm yeah, present company included ;-)
I stop typing, No way has she seen him. He told me no one has seen him. He wouldn’t lie…would he?
Ava Readsalot: What??
What? Did I really just type that? I sound like a complete idiot. I can’t seem to make my fingers type anything more than what.
Abby Hale: Um yeah and he is SMOKING hot!
Biting my lip, I stare at my computer willing myself to ask the question I so desperately don’t want answered.
Ava Readsalot: How do you know what he looks like?
Please don’t say you’ve seen him. Please, please, please.
Abby Hale: He sent me a pic.
Fuck…He sent her a picture. No way, he sent her one. Shit, shit.
Ava Readsalot: He did?
Abby Hale: Yeah.
Anger rushes at me, filling my veins. Wow, did he lie to me or is she lying?