Our server drops off our food, and we both dig in as I ponder over his words. “How’d you navigate Luca having a girlfriend? Didn’t that hinder things?”

He finishes chewing his bite. “Him and Courtney were never going to be the end all, be all. We all knew that. Their relationship was over long before it actually was. Yeah, the timing of it all wasn’t the best, but we were always bound to happen. It was only a matter of time. To be honest, if I had the chance to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. I know that sounds harsh, but we were what each other needed at that time. You can’t fight fate.”

“Damn,” I mumble.

“So, who’s the guy? And I’m guessing he isn’t single.”

I tense, not wanting to give too much away. “He isn’t single, but I can’t say anything more than that.”

Nodding, he says, “Do what feels right. It won’t always please everybody, but that’s okay.”

We finish eating, and spend the next hour catching up before parting ways. I head back to the frat house, where I hole up in my room and work on some homework until the sun goes down.

A little after ten o’clock, my phone dings with a text and I’m surprised to see it’s from Stone.

Stone: Hey.

Well, how prolific.

Me: Hey. What’s up?

Stone: I know I’ve been weird lately, and I’m sorry for that. I’m trying to make sense of everything, and in turn, I’m icing you out, and that’s not fair to you.

Me: No worries, man. I get it. No need to explain yourself to me.

Stone: Are you doing anything tonight?

Me: I’m not. Are you?

Stone: Well, I hope so. I’m outside your house.

Shit. He’s outside my house… right fucking now? I lose the ability to breathe. I didn’t expect to see him tonight, but fuck, how I really fucking want to.

Me: Give me five minutes and I’ll be down.

******

We wind up at the same field again. The drive over was silent, but not awkward, like I was worried it would be. This time, when we park, he turns off the ignition and climbs out. Not knowing what’s really going on, I follow suit, unbuckling my seatbelt and getting out.

“So, tonight’s the night you kill me then, huh?” My voice is dripping with sarcasm, but at least it brings a smile to his solemn face.

“You’re so dramatic. Here, take these.” He has the back trunk area pulled open. He hands me some pillows and a couple of blankets. There’s also a cooler that he brings out before shutting the trunk and locking the car.