Social Neighbor (The Social Series Book 1) by J.L. Mac

stop reading his text message over and over again? It was driving me crazy. Matt’s slight smile every time his phone chimed made me want to roll my eyes.
    He and Cal had been carrying on in the glow of a budding relationship, and I would have been lying if I said I wasn’t slightly jealous, because I was. I was green with envy.
    As Captain Von Trapp and Maria’s love story was coming to a satisfying end, my phone chimed in my lap making me jump and fumble with it like a high school girl waiting for her crush to call.
    It was a text from my dad.
    Dad: Just checking in with you. I was hoping we could have dinner soon.
    Me: Yeah. That’s fine. I’ll let you know when.
    Dad: Actually, is tonight okay? We have reservations at the new French place down the street. Chez Thibodaux. Want to join us?
    Me: Rain check. I don’t feel up to going out.
    Dad: I’d really like it if you came. Liza misses you too.
    Me: Okay, dad. What time?
    Dad: 6:30. Need a ride?
    Me: No. I’ll see you there.
    Dad: Thank you.
    “You all right?” Matt asked, eyeing me suspiciously.
    “Yeah. I’m fine. My dad wants me to have dinner with him and the step-monster tonight.”
    “I don’t know why in the world you call her that. Liza is awesome and you know it.” Matt rolled his eyes.
    “You only say that because she tips well at the spa.”
    “True. She also has fab hair. Do you want me to go with you to dinner?”
    “No. Cal is coming over tonight. Don’t ruin your plans for me.”
    “I can cancel,” he offered.
    “No. Don’t do that. You guys have a good time—in your bed only, please! And I’ll be back after dinner.”
    “So the couch and kitchen counters aren’t off limits?”
    I mocked gagging as I slid off the couch and made a beeline for my room so that I could shower and get ready for a trying evening in the company of my father and stepmother. I wasn’t looking forward to it and I had to wonder why he’d asked me to dinner on such short notice.
    Usually our encounters were pre-planned well in advance. Birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and the like. I preferred them that way. When I knew a little reunion was coming I had time to get myself in order before facing him. Today was nothing special, but something told me that there had to be a reason for his impromptu dinner invitation. I guess I’d find out soon enough.
     

Graham
     
    Something More
     
    A lot had happened since I’d last seen Flor, and none of it had been good. It felt like ages since I’d laid eyes on her and yet it had only been six days.
    Being plowed over by a taxi was made worse only by the fact that I’d been hit then pinned against a dumpster in a sandwich fashion, my Ducati was totaled and the pain medication that they prescribed were too scary to take.
    I wanted to take them. The pain in my leg was pretty intense, but the idea of allowing myself to feel any kind of high or buzz felt too much like falling off the wagon. Though alcohol was my addiction of choice, prescription drugs didn’t seem too far a stretch for someone like me.
    Martin had come by the hospital the moment he found out, and I loved the old goat for his commitment to me. He’s not truly that old but he’s got twenty-three years on my thirty-one years. I’d asked him once why he was so invested in me. His response was simple and resonated through me.
    “Well, bud, you and I are one in the same. Seeing you succeed is like investing in my own success. You keep me sober. As long as we have each other, I believe we just might be all right, our pasts notwithstanding.”
    He’d offered to stay with me at my place for a while, but I knew his wife wouldn’t appreciate that and I hadn’t mentioned the fact that the only place I wanted to be was at Tommy’s apartment. The only remaining secret between Martin and I. I declined his offer to stay with me and promised to update him daily on my recovery.
    Halley hadn’t left me in peace for long. She came barreling into my hospital