i adjusted the picnic blanket on the grass, the sun shining brightly as laughter echoed around the park. the 118 had gathered for a rare day off, filled with food, games, and camaraderie. i glanced at my phone again, my expression faltering as the minutes ticked by. tommy was late. again.
eddie walked over, balancing a soda and a plate of barbecue. “you look like you’re about to wear a hole in that screen,” he teased, sitting beside me.
“tommy’s just running late,” i said with a shrug, forcing a smile.
eddie handed me the soda. “he’ll get here. you don’t have to keep checking every two seconds.”
“i know,” i admitted, lowering my phone. “i guess i just... had high hopes for today. it’s been a while since we’ve had a proper day together.”
eddie nodded, but his silence spoke volumes. before he could say more, hen called out from across the lawn, waving us over to join a game of frisbee. i stood, brushing off my jeans.
an hour later, just as the frisbee game was wrapping up, tommy arrived, jogging across the field with a takeout bag in hand. “sorry i’m late!” he called out, his usual charming grin in place.
i walked over to meet him, trying to tamp down my frustration. “you’re here now,” i said, kissing his cheek. “that’s what matters.”
“i brought tacos to make up for it,” he said, holding up the bag like a peace offering.
i smiled despite myself, taking his hand and leading him to the group.
as everyone gathered to eat, tommy’s phone buzzed incessantly. he glanced at it between bites, occasionally typing out quick responses.
hen leaned over to me with a knowing look. “busy day for him?”
“something like that,” i said lightly, though my grip tightened on my fork.
buck, oblivious to the tension, grinned. “so, tommy, what’s the secret to keeping up with someone like veronica? she’s a lot to handle.”
tommy chuckled, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “she makes it easy.”
i laughed along, but my smile didn’t quite reach my eyes.
as the group dispersed for lawn games, eddie found me sitting alone on the picnic blanket, picking at my plate of fruit. he approached, lowering himself onto the blanket beside me.
“you’ve been quiet today,” he said gently.
“i’m fine,” i replied quickly.
eddie gave me a look. “are you?”
i hesitated, then sighed. “i don’t know. tommy’s just been... distant lately. he’s always busy, always distracted.”
eddie didn’t say anything for a moment. “pook, i’m not trying to overstep, but... are you happy?”
the question hit me like a punch to the gut. “what do you mean?”
“i mean, you deserve someone who shows up for you,” he said simply. “someone who makes you their priority.”
i stared at the ground, my thoughts spinning. “he’s just under a lot of pressure right now. it’s not fair for me to expect more.”
“maybe,” eddie said carefully. “or maybe you’re giving more than you’re getting.”
the tension lingered as the group moved on to an ice cream truck parked near the edge of the park. tommy and i trailed behind, his arm resting loosely around my shoulders.
YOU ARE READING
call your therapist. // eddie diaz
Fanfiction"you know i can't handle this." || "maybe you should call your therapist."
