Sincerely, Dr. Cruz

Sixteen: One Too Many

Chapter Sixteen: One Too Many
Reina’s Apartment: Warwick, Rhode Island

My mind constantly buzzed for the next day and a half with everything Neal told me.

You know, looking back at what I conceived to be as Neal before I knew about Ben, I realized that I almost didn’t know him at all, other than the fact that he was painfully down to earth.

I mean, first looking at him three and a half years ago in Maine was different. He was tall. (By my standards anyways. I mean, 5’11” is pretty damn tall if you ask me.) He has nice dark brown hair that isn’t curly but isn’t straight and makes you wonder if he constantly cuts it or is just always the perfect length. His skin is a lighter tan, but not dark enough to make you think he was a diehard surfer from Miami or something. (The guy was from Minnesota for crying out loud.) He had a jaw line that was too perfect to be real, and had hazel eyes that were browner on some days and greener on the others.

Then I thought about when we talked for the first time, and the realization of how sweet he really was. He may look like he walked out of a Hollister advertisement (with clothes on obviously), but he sure didn’t act like it. And then when he almost kissed me, I felt like something was wrong with him. (Aside from the fact that I just completely shut down.)

At least I now knew that he wasn’t emotionally blackmailing me three and a half years ago.

He almost did what he did because he wanted to.

Then I started to think about now, and how we instantly started talking as if we had been friends for a while there. How he didn’t treat me like I was a fragile work of art, but more like another person.

A person whose company he enjoyed.

He entrusted me with the child that he loved almost more than his life. I mean, knowing my babysitting skills, the house could’ve caught fire or something.

He told me about the hardest part of his life as if he trusted me with his secrets.

Even though I ate a decent dinner, I continue analyzing the thought hurricane in my head. 

I had only ever told Travis and Trisha about my… problem. They helped me, but at the same time told me that I needed to open up and let the world see the real Reina. I would only get better if someone knew the real Reina.

Who was the real Reina?

The appearance conscious, timid and held back Reina I had convinced myself I wanted to be, or the glasses and converse wearing, ice cream devouring, loud-when-you-got-to-know-me-but-only-two-people-have-gotten-there-so-far Reina?

At this point, I didn’t even know anymore.

All I knew was that Neal was dangerously close to being a third, and I had absolutely no freaking idea why.

________

You have reached Travis Cruz. I am probably listening to a bridezilla at the moment or maybe even my wife. If it’s really important, please do leave a voicemail. If not, pray for me at the tone.

His voicemail was getting weirder and weirder by the moment.

*beeeeeeeeep*

“Listen here Travis, I really need to talk to you so if you really love your little but older sister please do call me back as soon as you can. Don’t overwork yourself. Buh-bye.”

I sighed and looked around my living room for something to do. I had just vacuumed, dusted and reorganized my shelves. Now what?

My eyes then caught glance of two of my most favorite TV shows in the world, both full sets. It was a tough decision—Uncle Jesse was the primary reason I watched Full House, but I have to say Neil Patrick Harris makes How I Met Your Mother much more attractive.