《Interpersonal Chemistry》no worries

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For the remainder of the time in line, he tried to ignore Jodie’s blatant glaring at him. After paying, they made their way to the exit, and he finally broke down with an exasperated, “What?!”

“I need a cigarette,” Jodie grumbled, then spun around and put several steps between them. She was already out the door before he could register the words.

“Hold on,” Mitch quickened his pace and caught up, then stood quietly while she fumbled with her lighter. There was a chill in the air that signaled summer’s near eventual conclusion, and he shivered. “Jodie, c’mon.”

“You gonna call him?” She finally responded after taking a long drag and exhaling smoke.

“I-” Mitch swallowed, and looked down at his screen again. Sometimes it seemed like Jodie had been far more impacted by the transgressions in his own relationship than he himself had been. He nodded. “Yeah.”

The phone icon was pressed, and Mitch moved to put some distance between himself and Jodie. After several rings, it picked up. “Hi,” came the creaky voice from the other end, obviously having been woken up.

“Hey Calv,” Mitch squeaked out. “I’m sorry to be calling so late.”

“What’s going on?” There was a loud yawn.

“I uh, there was an accident. During my match, I fell and I landed on my head.” After a moment of silence, he continued. “But I just got out of the hospital. My shoulder’s kind of messed up, I’m in a sling right now, but I’m OK.”

“Jesus, Mitch,” came the response after another pause.

“Like I said, I’m OK!” Mitch repeated, this time the words out spilling faster. When he heard the heavy sigh, he heart began to thunder in his ears.

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“You know that what you do is dangerous, right?” Calvin deadpanned. “I’ve told you this at least a hundred times. And for what?”

“I…I know that. But accidents happen, and-“

Calvin cut him off. “What are you going to do?”

“Jodie said that I could stay with her.”

“And you said you’re fine?”

“Yeah.” He stared down at a piece of gum that had been embedded and hardened into a crack on the sidewalk, and ignored the way that his face began to flush. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Cool. So I have a meeting first thing in the morning. Can we talk later?”

“Sure.”

“Great. Later, babe.”

And before Mitch could complete the phrase “love you”, the call had disconnected. He let the buzzing drone on for a few seconds before he finally lowered the phone.

“How’d it go?” Jodie’s voice quietly surfaced, its characteristic sharpness absent.

“He’s pissed.” Mitch ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes. He braced himself for his friend’s usual tirade, about what an asshole Calvin was and how he had no right to be angry after this, that, and the other thing, and blah blah blah.

Instead, she touched his good arm. “Hey, let’s get going,” she suggested while gently beginning to pull at him.

“Alright,” he agreed, finally giving up any further resistance, and allowed himself to be guided away from the spot of Earth that he desperately wished would swallow him whole.

“So,” Jodie started once they were in her car, then she paused to adjust the radio dial. “I let everyone know that you’re OK. I also let ’em know to not bother you right now.”

“Thanks.” Mitch rested his head against the passenger side window and watched the streetlights pass by. “I really appreciate this, Jodie.”

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“Don’t mention it.” Jodie took a final drag from her cigarette before flicking the butt out the window. “You hungry? We can’t exactly do Denny’s since you’re like, half naked. I think Taco Bell’s drive thru still open?”

He yawned and shook his head. “Nah. At this point, I just wanna sleep.”

“Alright.”

Aside whatever alt rock played on the radio, rest of the ride was in silence. Mitch did his best to ignore the nagging feeling of tension that swelled in the car, and his suspicion of its existence was confirmed when they finally pulled into Jodie’s driveway. She killed the engine, inhaled sharply, and her hands grasped at the air. “I just…can I say something?”

Mitch grimaced. “I guess.”

“You’re all fucked up and Calvin like, doesn’t care. Am I wrong?”

“It’s not that he doesn’t care-“

“Bro.” She placed her forehead against the steering wheel, clearly exasperated. “Goddammit, you’re so stupid. Lemme ask: did he even offer to come get you? Did he figure out a way for you to get home?”

“Well, no. But. It’s super late, Jodie. I kinda got myself into this, and he’s got work super early. And I told him that you offered me a place to stay. I’m sure we’ll figure it out tomorrow.” Mitch’s voice cracked a little, and he rubbed his eyes. “Can we not do this right now? Please?”

“Fine. Fine.” Raising her hands in surrender, she offered a small smile. “I’m just worried, dude.”

“I know.” His smile matched hers in uncertainty, and she sighed. Without another word, Jodie exited her side of the car, and moments later opened the passenger side for Mitch. His smile brightened a little more as she helped him out of his seat. “Thanks.”

“No worries.”

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