OFF TRACK

36

SUMMER

Trevor's been gone for four days and it sucks. I don't like sleeping alone. I don't like not waking up next to him and I definitely don't like having to cook for myself.

"Summer!" Ellie's voice rings out from the main room of our apartment.

"In my room," I call back, I've been laying in bed texting Trevor for the past ten minutes. He's currently at dinner with his family and his Mom's two sisters and their kids. They haven't gotten a table yet but once they get a table he'll have to put his phone away, his parents are strict about that.

He sent me a picture of him and his youngest cousin, Nick, who's only five years old and kinda looks like a mini blonde version of Trevor. In the picture Nick was sitting on Trevor's lap smiling big as Trevor snapped the picture from a high angle, also smiling. It's the cutest thing I've ever seen, I think my ovaries actually jumped for joy.

"We're going out tonight. My friend, Drew, invited me to a party," Ellie says as she enters my room, "And you can't say no because tomorrow is your birthday but you're working so we're going out tonight."

"Who's Drew?" I ask setting my phone down looking at her as she sits on the edge of my bed.

"I know him from high school, he's also in some of my classes," she explains, and continues knowing what I'm actually curious to know, "His grandfather owns the Clippers."

"Holy shit," I gasp, "Fuck yeah I'll go!"

I love having a best friend who's rich as shit and knows every nepotism child in this city. It makes every event we go to so much more interesting. Like our freshman year we were at some party when Jaden Smith randomly came out and performed in the kids living room, it was wild.

She laughs at me, then says, "Then we can end the night here and sing you happy birthday at midnight! I picked up a little cake!"

"You did not," I laugh. 

"It's a little red velvet bundt cake! It's adorable!" She smiles standing up, "I even got candles!"

"Oh my gosh," I laugh.

Okay now this is why I love Ellie so much, she's so sweet. She loves doing things for other people, because unlike other kids from school who come from money she doesn't always act like it.

"And Alex is also gonna come, but he and a few of his friends booked some ice time so he's gonna meet us later," Ellie explains.

"When do I need to be ready?"

She looks at her phone screen, "Like nine pm? We'll take an Uber to his house then Alex will drive us home."

I nod as she exits my room and says, "I'm gonna take a nap don't bug me."

I quietly laugh at her because she's the one who's bugging me but okay. I pick up my phone again. The only text sitting there is Trevor saying, we just got a table, i'll call you when i'm back home.

And he does a few hours later I'm sitting at my vanity doing my makeup when Trevor facetimes me.

"What are you up to?" I ask when I hear other voices and giggling in the background.

"Babysitting," he's laying down, holding the phone up.

"No, I'm babysitting! You're just laying there," I recognize Hannah's voice instantly.

"Sorry, Han!" I laugh.

"He lets them get away with murder," Hannah's round face pops up beside her brother's, they have the same dark hair and dark eyes, "I wish you luck if you two ever have kids."

There's a loud crash noise and Hannah snaps her head to look, "Daniel! No!" And the she's gone.

"You should probably go help her," I tell him as I focus back on my makeup.

There's more laughing in the background, "I think she's got it under control," he's looking out at whatever is going on behind the camera.

"Trevor!" a small voice screams and then the screen goes black and Trevor lets out a sudden groan.

A second later he picks the phone back up, "Nicky, this is my girlfriend Summer."

It's his little cousin from the photo he sent me earlier.

I smile turning to the camera and wave, "Hi Nicky."

The young boy whispers something to Trevor, who starts smiling.

"Tell her that," Trevor encourages his cousin with a smirk.

Nick shakes his head, his blonde hair going everywhere.

"Tell me what?" I play along.

Trevor pokes his cousins adorable round cheek, "Tell her what you just told me."

The little boy starts to smile and blush, and very quietly says, "You're really pretty."

I think my heart actually melts into a puddle after he says it, "Aw thank you!" Now I'm blushing.

"I think you just lost your girl, Trev," Hannah says from somewhere in the background.

Trevor let's out a short laugh.

"He wishes," he ruffled his cousin's hair.

"If he takes after you everyone's in trouble," I tease.

Trevor looks at the camera, there's that playful twinkle in his eye, "I think everyone would love that."

I roll my eyes with a smile.

I finish getting ready, chatting with Trevor the whole time. He tells me about how the trip has been going, we haven't had time to talk on the phone since he got there.

He even helps me pick out an outfit, black jean shorts and a white graphic tee. I layer on a few gold necklaces because I know Ellie will tell me to add them as soon as she sees the simple outfit.

"Summer!" Ellie shouts, "Let's do shots!"

Trevor chuckles on the phone.

"You're coming with," I pick up the phone and take it to the kitchen with me, "Say hi, El!" I hold the phone up high to get us both in frame.

Ellie goes on her tip toes, "Hi Trevor!"

"Hey," he nods at her.

I prop the phone up on the counter.

Ellie hands me a shot glass already full of what I'm assuming is tequila.

"Cheers," she smiles.

We tap the small glasses together, then to the table before letting the bitter liquor slide down our throats.

Trevor cheers us on from the phone.

"Okay we have to go," I say leaning over the counter towards the camera, "I love you, I'll call you later?"

"No promises I'll be up," now that it's nine pm here it's midnight in New York, "Love you, be safe!"

"Alex is gonna be there," I tell him just to make him feel better because I know he'll worry.

"I'll send him a good luck text," he teases.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes, "Bye."

"Bye!"