"So, how's your love life going?" Shane questions me, for the third time this month. This is the main reason why I hate editing with him because our conversations always end up going back to my dating situation.
I don't move my eyes away from the computer screen. "I'm still single."
"Why? How? It's been years. Don't you use dating apps?"
"Yeah, but I guess I just haven't found a girl that I like yet."
Shane pushes his office chair closer towards me. "Gimme your phone."
I automatically move a little to the right to create some space between us. "I don't wanna do this again."
He ignores my complaining and takes my phone that was on the desk and I know there's no point in trying to stop him, so I just let it happen. I stupidly haven't changed my password from the last time, so he's able to unlock it without much difficulty.
"She's hot." I hear him say before shoving the phone in front of my face. "Look and she matched with you."
Okay, not that I would ever admit this to Shane, but I just don't have the energy to talk to her, despite the fact that she is super hot. I would rather be doing other things than trying to find a girlfriend. I understand that I've been single for almost three years now, but I just don't feel the need to have a partner. Embarrassingly at the age of 27, I have never been in love with a woman before and I'm actually starting to think that 'being in love' is a lie. Everyone must be pretending out of kindness or societal norms or something because I've never even been close to feeling like that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy having sex with women and I do think they're great, but it always feels like there's something missing, something wrong.
"Yeah." Is all I respond to Shane with.
"I sent a message saying you wanna take her out on a date."
I straight away snatch the phone from his hand. "Jesus, I haven't even talked to her before."
Shane sighs in frustration. "I'm just so tired of this. Make a move for once. Otherwise you're going to die alone I swear." And with that being said he moves back to his laptop.
I would love to argue with him, but I hold my tongue. I don't feel like losing my job over a petty comment or two.
Shane notices the uncomfortable silence and apologizes. "I'm sorry, but you know I'm right. I worry about you and it must hurt seeing all of your friends in relationships while you're still single."
"Garrett's not in a relationship."
Shane laughs. "That doesn't count. He's always going to be single."
I take a deep breath in and flick the elastic band around my wrist.
Shane carries on. "I know he's your friend, but you have to admit that he's never going to get a boyfriend. He can't commit to a YouTube schedule, so what makes you think he could commit to a relationship-"
"Shut up."
Shane looks at me in disbelief. "Excuse me?"
"I said shut up. If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all and he's your friend too." I try to focus back on the editing so Shane would take that as a sign that this conversation was over, but of course he needs to say the last word.
"He was my friend before he was yours, so don't you dare insinuate that I don't care about him. I have been there in his darkest moments, I encouraged him to have a YouTube career, I have sent him money for a huge amount of things, so don't you dare suggest that I don't consider him a friend. Where were you when he was crying every other day over his weight issues, where were you when he was feeling lost and confused about his career? Oh that's right you were too busy with Gabbie Hanna."
I quickly save my work and turn off the computer. "I should go." While Shane remains quiet and puts his headphones back on.
I have never walked so fast out of their house before. I don't even slow down when Ryland asks me what's wrong and I don't stop to pet the dogs when they wag their tails at me. I have decided that I can easily work from home.
