Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 9: Texting in Texas

October 5, 2014

Northern Texas

I wonder if all older men snored like a freight train, or if that was just my uncle.

Anthony laid on his back across the room, his mouth wide open, drawn-out grunts escaping. I finally understood why Liz never complained when Anthony would go on these long "business" trips.

The sun had been up for a while, as have I, waiting for her to get up.

Liv. My girlfriend.

I chuckle at the odd word. Girlfriend was such a minuscule title.

Liv was so much more than that.

We talked until 3 A.M.; Anthony went to dinner with an old friend of his and didn't stumble in until the wee hours of 4.

Liv talked with such fondness about her family; Luke, who was younger than her by about a month, was more like her brother; she also said she thought Luke and I were a lot alike. Fat chance.

She spoke of Abby as the "problem child" of them, Zoey only coming in close second.

It was clear how much she loved her family; despite the things her uncles have done. I understand that. Liv probably wasn't too fond of Anthony or Liam, given the things she's been told about my family.

In our conversation from early this morning, her voice was so groggy, I thought she might pass out on the line; I told her to get to sleep, but she refused, telling me the only good part of her day was talking to me.

I told her the feeling was mutual.

Liv told me of her day working at her grandmother's restaurant, and being on her feet all day.

I could sense her blush through the phone as I offered to rub them for her.

I had to see her. Soon.

Anthony flopped over in his bed, the snoring lowering an octave.

I hovered over her name on my phone.

Artemis.

I had told Liv I had her middle name, Gail, as her contact on my phone, but that was a little white lie.

Knowing how much she loathed the moon Goddess, I knew she wouldn't like being referred to as such.

I was convinced it would grow on her, though.

Would it be desperate for me to text her first?

Maybe she needed a break. I mean, we've talked non-stop for the last two weeks.

What more was there to talk about?

Her family meant everything to her, her cousins, mostly; her mother was a "total bitch", and she was a straight B student, excelling in sciences.

Her favorite movie was Something's Gotta Give, mine was Black Sheep; she idolized Hypatia, a 4th-century scientist who created a way to measure the position of stars and planets (I looked it up). I, however, idolized Johnny Cash.

We talked about so much in the last 15 ½ days; what more was there?

Everything.

So, when the clock struck 9, I decided to text her.

Brandon: I miss you, darlin'.

Short and sweet.

Her response was quick, as it always was.