“Eric. Hi.”
“Jillie?” He couldn’t keep the shock from his voice.
“Yeah, is Nick there?” Silence. Dead Silence. “Eric?” “Yeah. No. No.”
“Eric, could you meet me for coffee?”
“My cars in the shop, the guys are coming to pick me up for band practice at 5pm.” “Eric, how about I come now. I will pick you up.” “Ok. But I don’t have much time. What’s going on Jillie?”
“I won’t take much of your time. Just let me buy you a coffee, okay. See you soon.’ I said, not realizing I had been holding my breath.
“Jillie, I …” “Eric, I will tell you when I get there. I’m heading your way now.”
Running the engine for a minute to warm up, I sat in the luxurious leather seats of my Jaquar. What a car. Just do it! Nick and I shouted, looking at each other. A total impulse buy. Sunroof, stereo to die for and the best part: Fast and Furious. You could pass a semi in pounding, pouring rain with confidence. It held twists and turns in the road that felt like you were still on the freeway. It gave me I-have-everything -to-live -for feeling.
Usually, I take the longest route to my destination, but this time I went straight to Eric’s place and honked the horn.
He came out his front door. Always the cool dude drummer. I had seen him with long hair and bell bottoms to today’s short hair and jeans. His style may have changed; he was heavier, older, and wore glasses despite that he never will lose his cool stagger, still attracting girls at every gig.
“Hey, Jillie,” he said as he slid into the passenger seat. “I was thinking let’s go through Starbucks drive-thru and go park in the park.” “Okay.”
Except when we parked neither of us touched the coffee. “I found a naked picture of Stormy today on Nicks computer.” He looks at me like, What? Are you kidding?
I turn and give Eric a careful look. He was looking out the window.
“Eric.” The silence stretched until I broke it with a slightly brittle laugh. “Stormy was YOUR girlfriend? Right.” You were engaged to her.
Eric frowns at the question. He gives me a tilted half smile, which I knew from experience was not without its effect.
“I’m having a tough time telling you this,” Eric said