Playing Games

Late Night Texts

"You bitch!" I hear from around the nurses station. I tear my tired eyes away from the computer to see my angry best friend stop his way up to me. "Good morning to you to Gabe, I see you're in a good mood" I say sarcastically. "Terrible mood actually, you see my bitch of a best friend did not call me ONCE this weekend. Not even a little text. Could you believe the whore!" He says pulling out the chair from next to me to begin charting on his patients. I laugh as I sip my coffee and continue to document on my patients. "Well, if you must know, nothing happened. So I didn't want to bore you" I say matter-of-factly. "Bullshit, there's no way nothing happened. I can read you like a book, now spill" Gabe says as he types away on the computer.

"Okay it was fun. I spent a lot of time with Adam, which I desperately needed. Christine and I talked about wed-" "Nope. I don't care about the wedding details, I want to know who got into your pants" Gabe says as I look around the area; thankfully nobody was around besides us. "Fucking hell, Gabe. Nobody was in my pants thank you" I say shaking my head and laughing at his blunt comments. "Okay I saw Adam's insta story, the group photo.. You and Austin looked like you were quite friendly" he asks suggestively. "Exactly, friends. We were flirty and drunk but nothing happened. We both agreed that we'd be better off as friends and that's really it" I say leaning back in my chair with a groan.

"So you don't like him like that" Gabe says as he spins his chair towards me. "Well, I do. A lot actually, but I'm not ready. After Connor I'm scared to start a new relationship honestly" I say knowing Gabe understands more than anyone, the trauma he has caused me. "Fuck that douchebag!" Gabe says, "that asshole is going to rot in hell, and he should not get to dictate your life! Don't let that asshole continue to manipulate you. You deserve to be happy babe." I look down at my hands and respond, "I know. And he doesn't control me anymore, I just- I need to take things slow. I can't deal with another heartbreak." "Exactly, don't worry about the heartbreak, just have fun! Does Austin like you back?" Gabe asks. "I mean he's super flirty and he admitted that he feels a connection between us, but everything seems to be moving so fast with him. I was scared and pumped the breaks on it. Plus, we still flirt and we're comfortable around each other, but it's friendly. And that's okay." I say and I can see Gabe give up on the battle. "You're right. It's okay to be friends. But don't miss out on an opportunity fro greatness, just because you're scared. Talk to him if you need, I'm sure he'll understand. But I agree, just take it slow, make some friends and just chill" Gabe says getting out of his chair. I get out of mine and give him a hug, "What would I do without you, hmm?" I ask as I'm squished up against his chest. "Probably die, honestly" he says with a wink. I laugh in response, "well time to go save some lives." I can hear Gabe laugh as I walk away.

The weeks before our friends vacation/Adam's wedding seemed to fly by. I worked at the hospital for most of the days and did my usual day off shenanigans; online shop for cute bikinis, grocery shop, hit the gym- if I was feeling super crazy, annoy Gabe on his day off, hang out with other friends. It was the day before I left for our friends trip to Hawaii and I was panicking. I had bought so many new clothes and bikinis but felt as if I had nothing to wear.

I facetimed Gabe and he picked up on the first ring. "Hey, bitch what's up" he says not looking at the camera. "Im having a crisis, what are you doing" I say throwing my phone on the bed, staring at the massive pile of clothes on the floor. "Ooh we love a crisis, I was headed to go get a coffee, because I need to fuel my addiction, however it seems that I need to get us a coffee so we can deal with this said crisis" he responds back. "You're the best, see you soon" I say. Gabe pulls up shortly after we ended our phone call, coffee in hand and plops down on my bed. "Okay what's the sitch" he says and I laugh at his Kim possible quote. "Well you see, I went a little crazy online shopping and have no idea what to bring on this trip," I say running my hands through my hair. "Mm yes, okay well it seems we need a fashion show, show me the options" he says as he makes himself comfortable.

After about a hundred different try-ons we settled on a bunch of different options, apparently "one for each occasion" as Gabe insisted. "We got plenty of sexy, a few cute but play it safes, and casual but cute. Perfect!" Gabe says as he sips the last of his latte. "I'd literally wear one bikini and an oversized t-shirt for the entire week if it wasn't for you" say laughing as I put all my stuff into my suitcase. "Well I'm sure somebody will enjoy those hot ass bikinis and dresses we put in there" he winks at me, knowing damn well who he was referring too. "As I've told you about a hundred times before, Austin and I are just friends" I say shaking my head. "And how did you know I was referring to him?" he asks pretending to be shocked. "Shut up," I laugh. "Anyways, friends or lovers who cares! You can still put on a show. Show him what's he's missing out on, what he can't have" he says cockily. "True, might as well have some fun with it" I say back. 'That's my girl!" He yells.

It was nearing midnight and Gabe had gone home. I made sure I had everything packed for our little friends vacation, as well as for the wedding. I had my dress in a separate garment bag so It didn't get ruined in the suitcase. I started thinking about the wedding and how much fun it's going to be. As I daydreamed about Adam's wedding I began cleaning up and organizing around the apartment; making sure everything would be okay while I was gone for the trip. I heard my phone buzz over on the coffee table and plop down on the couch to see who had texted. Message from cowboy🤠. I was surprised to see his name. We hadn't really talked outside of our group chat so I was curious to what he had to say.

A: hey sof! I wanted to see if you had anything planned for the bachelorette party yet?

Oh fuck. I totally forgot I'm responsible for that.

S: so I think I may be the worst maid of honor ever. I may or may not have totally forgotten about the party...

A: no worries! We can figure something out. I had some ideas but I want to make it perfect ya know. I usually have the ideas but don't do the planning so this is kinda new for me.

S: yeah yeah I get it! Ill help you, if you help me ;)

A: done and done. Got any ideas, sweetheart?

That damn pet name again. I'm positive it will be the death of me.

We continue to share our ideas for the bachelor/bachelorette parties and eventually figure out some pretty awesome plans. Austin is going to take the boys out to this brewery place and I was to take the girls to a winery. After, we planned to meet for dinner together at a nice restaurant that Austin picked. Then the boys were to go to some club while the girls went to another. Wherever we end up after that, we'll just see what happens. We agreed that it would be perfect, since nor Adam or Christine were party animals.

S: well I'm glad we got that settled. Ill call to make reservations tomorrow.

A: yeah same. Feel free to name drop me for some perks ;)

S: ha ha. Very funny. Don't think I want any perks associated with you

A: wow. I am deeply offended.

S: good. Then my work here is done.

A: how could something so beautiful be so mean?

My heart fluttered at his statement. Just as flirty over text, that jerk.

S: mean? I'm only being honest cowboy...

A: mhmm. You'll make it up to me one day, you'll see

S: in your dreams, pretty boy

A: quit flirting with me, Sofia

S: can't help it. It's just too easy.

A: I've missed you Sofia.

Fuck.

S: I've missed you too, Austin. I'll see you tomorrow though.

A: yes ma'am. What time does your flight get in?

S: 11am Hawaii time

A: well would you look at that, mine lands at 10:45.

S: you better get to bed if you want to make that flight

A: I'm trying but you are very distracting.

S: my sincerest apologies..

A: goodnight, sof. Have a safe flight tomorrow. 🤍

S: you too. Goodnight, Austin. 🤍