Afterglow

by Artemis Anders

  “What a douche. After what he did, you should get the house and the dog. You were too easy on him, letting him have Harry and buying him out like that. Especially when he makes more money than you!”

  “Maybe. I just… it was bad enough. Going all drama queen only makes me look like an idiot.”

  “Sure, but letting a selfish asshole take advantage of you isn’t good for your soul, sweetie. Trust me on that.”

  Teagan sighed. “You’re right again, Doctor Fiorelli.”

  Diana smiled. “So that’s it? You’re off men?”

  “Definitely.” Teagan didn’t mention Aaron, not wanting to explain her night of sweaty passion with a guy she barely knew. Diana was a good friend who gave sage advice, but she was old-fashioned and didn’t believe in casual sex. “Are you still seeing that guy from the winery?”

  Diana shook her head. “We broke up.”

  “How come?”

  “He drank too much. And he’s totally anti-marriage. He just kept saying that half of marriages fail, and that he didn’t know anyone who had a marriage he admired, and blah fucking blah.”

  “Maybe he’s right.”

  Diana gave her a look. “You don’t mean that, do you? Do you really think marriage is a farce?”

  Teagan sighed. “No. Mine was, but I know there are good ones out there. This winery guy—has he been burned?”

  “Nope.”

  Teagan rolled her eyes.

  “Exactly!” Diana cried, pointing a finger at Teagan, her Mediterranean passion coming through. “Eye roll, right? I mean, look at you. Your marriage blew up. Mine did too. But underneath your ‘no more men’ thing, I know there’s a woman who would remarry if she met the right guy. And I’m willing to try again too, even after what I went through.”

  Teagan smiled. It was true. Despite all that had happened, and despite having crappy instincts when it came to men, some tiny part of her still believed in love. “Well, D, you’re too beautiful and too amazing to stay single for too long. And me? It might take ten or twenty years, but maybe there’s still a chance for me.”

  Diana grinned. After they finished their drinks, they headed over to Tio’s.

  A week later, her truck back in her possession and her debt increased by $3600, Teagan pulled into her parking spot after an evening hike. She’d hiked with a local meetup group she’d been part of for years, and even ran into Hannah on one of Hannah’s after-work training runs. Teagan took a selfie of them, which she posted on Facebook when she got home. After perusing her feed, she heard a bleep. Someone had instant-messaged her. It was Aaron.

  Teagan couldn’t help but smile.

  AS: I take it you got home okay.

  TM: Actually, no. I’m stranded in Albuquerque and decided to just live here and get my fill of red chili and sopapillas.

  No response.

  TM: That was a joke.

  AS: Not that funny.

  Teagan stared at Aaron’s comment, unsure what to make of it. He was hard enough to read in person, much less over messaging.

  AS: That was a joke.

  TM: :)

  TM: How are you, Major? How’s Patton?

  AS: He’s good. Me, can’t complain. Hotter than hell here. Got up to 110 this week, so no hiking for us.

  TM: That’s too bad.

  AS: How are you? How’s the book coming?

  TM: Book’s almost done… I send it off to the editor next week. Me, I’m good, although my transmission went out. $3600.

  AS: Fuck.

  TM: Yeah.

  AS: Sorry to hear it. Time to sell more books, huh?

  TM: I’m trying to.

  AS: I downloaded the first one. I’m about halfway through and its good. I’ll tell a few friends.

  Teagan blinked in surprise. Aaron was actually reading one of her books. And he liked it.

  TM: That’s really sweet of you. Thank you.

  She noticed that Aaron didn’t apostrophize “its.” She always noticed such things. Many writers would have thought less of him for it, but she didn’t. It annoyed her when people nitpicked trivial flaws, as if everyone had to be perfect, as if there weren’t more substantive qualities to care about. Plus, Aaron had admitted to having dyslexia. Compared to the reading-disabled students she’d had, he wrote quite well.

  They chatted a bit longer until Teagan’s hunger finally kicked in.

  TM: I’m off to grab some dinner. Thank you for friending me!

  AS: Sure. Have a good night.

  And he signed off.

  Message sent.

  Teagan smiled, glad to have her manuscript off to her editor and out of her hair for a while. She grabbed her purse and ventured out for some dinner. Ben was on the porch, relaxing in his hammock. She’d heard him arguing with Beth earlier.

  “I’m going to get a bite at Tio’s. Hungry?”

  “Definitely.”

  Teagan and Ben walked to Tio’s and ordered their usual fare before they sat down.

  “Did you finish the book?” Ben asked.

  She nodded. “It’s with the editor now.”

  “Did you make that murder scene more violent? And fix that part about the methamphetamine?”

  “Yes on both counts. Thanks again for beta reading.”

  He shrugged. “It’s fun.” He frowned a little, looking distracted.

  “You okay? I heard you arguing with Beth earlier.”

  He sighed. “Yeah. Same old shit. I don’t get it. It’s not like I’m seeing other women. Why does she keep wanting more from me?”

  “Because she cares about you and wants to take it to the next level. And because she knows there’s some reason you’re keeping her at arm’s length.”

  Ben gave her a surly look. “Great. Now I have to take shit from you too?”

  Teagan eyed him right back. “I’m not giving you shit, Benjamin. You’re keeping her at arm’s length. Maybe you have your reasons, but you can’t expect her to stop wanting what she wants.”

  Before Ben could reply, a beep sounded. She looked at Ben; it was probably a text from Beth.

  “That’s you,” he said. “I didn’t bring my phone.”

  Teagan dug out her phone. She stared, hardly believing her eyes. It was a text from Aaron.

  “Who is it?”

  “The guy from Arizona.”

  He made a face. “He’s got your number?”

  “I forgot. He gave me his card when he invited me hiking. We texted to make plans.”

  “Wait. You went hiking together? I thought you just hooked up.”

  “We did. I don’t know why he’s texting.”

  “What does it say?”

  She peeked at the message. “To call him tonight.”

  Ben gave an evil laugh. “He’s pregnant. You’re going to be a mommy. Or he’s hoping you’ll come back for round two.”

  Teagan rolled her eyes. “He is not.”

  She stared at the brief message. Why did he want her to call him? Had she left something at his house? No, he would have mentioned that by now. Maybe he’d found some military or weapons error in her book. That had to be it.

  When their burritos arrived, Teagan put her phone away and they dug in.

  “Hello?” said Aaron’s familiar deep voice.

  “Hey Aaron. It’s Teagan.”

  “Hey. Thanks for calling.”

  “How’s desert life?”

  “Hot.”

  They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Aaron got to business.

  “So, the reason I’m calling. I think I mentioned that a good friend of mine lives in Colorado Springs…”

  “Yes. He’s in the Air Force, right?”

  “Right. I’m coming up to visit him for a couple days in July, and… I was wondering if you’d be around. Maybe we could get dinner or something.”

  Teagan stood there for several moments, hardly believing what she’d just heard. He wanted to see her? “Umm… which days?”

  “The second weekend in July.”
>
  She checked her calendar. “Yeah. I’m around. Are you flying or driving?”

  “Flying. I don’t have enough time to drive. I can probably come up to Denver on Sunday afternoon. Will that work?”

  “That should work.”

  “I’ll let you know more after I finalize everything.”

  “Sounds good.”

  After they hung up, Teagan sat there for a moment. One brief phone call and the guy she’d hooked up with was coming to town to see her. Ben’s quip accusing Aaron of hoping to get laid again was beginning to seem pretty accurate. But was that a bad thing?

  She had no idea. She was in uncharted territory.

  A couple of weeks later, Teagan got a text from Aaron.

  AS: Just landed in Denver. We still on for Sunday night?

  TM: Definitely.

  AS: Will call you Sunday.

  Teagan had spent those weeks writing and trying not to think about Aaron and why he wanted to see her. She’d even considered getting back online to meet some guys, but the thought of it still disgusted her.

  When Sunday rolled around, Teagan’s phone rang. 520 area code.

  “Good afternoon, Major.”

  “Hey. How are you?”

  “Oh, just up to my neck in alien politics. You?”

  “We’re up in the mountains and heading to get some lunch after two full days in the backcountry.”

  “Nice! How was it?”

  “It was great. I’m ready for a shower and some real food, though.”

  She laughed. “I believe it.”

  “How does six sound for tonight?”

  “Six is good. Do you want to meet halfway?”

  “No. I’ll drive to Denver.”

  Teagan fell silent for a moment. “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. It’s only an hour. I haven’t been to Denver in… I can’t remember the last time.”

  “Okay. I’ll text you my address.”

  After they hung up, Teagan felt a bit guilty about Aaron driving all the way to Denver. Then she wondered if she should feel offended instead, that maybe he hoped coming to her home would increase his chances of sleeping with her.

  Stop worrying. It’s dinner, for crying out loud.

  That evening, Teagan searched her closet for something to wear. She wanted to look attractive—they’d be on her turf and she needed to represent—but she didn’t want to dress in a way that would send the wrong message. Not that she knew what message that was. She threw on a sundress and some sandals.

  Just before 6:00 p.m., there was a knock at her door. When she opened it, Aaron stood on her porch. Muscular, blond, handsome Aaron in shorts and a white t-shirt. He looked gorgeous.

  Damn him.

  Chapter Eleven

  Teagan hesitated for a few awkward moments. Why? Why did he have to look so good?

  And it didn’t help that he was staring at her, his eyes locked with hers in a way that unnerved her. She looked down, unable to take any more.

  “Come on in,” she said, stepping aside. “Did you find it okay?” Did he find it okay? He was standing there, wasn’t he? She shook her head at her sudden bout of awkwardness.

  “I did.”

  “Good.” She desperately searched her addled mind for something appropriate to say. What was she supposed to say to the guy she’d spent one night with before leaving Arizona six weeks ago? “Umm… can I get you something? A beer or a soda? Or are you getting hungry?”

  “I’m pretty hungry,” he said, looking around her place. “I’m still feeling the deficit from two days of protein bars and beef jerky.”

  Teagan laughed at that, relaxing a little. “I’ve done my share of backpacking, so I get it. I know a place we can walk to, and it has a great patio.”

  “Sounds good.”

  There was a knock at her door. Teagan opened it to find Ben standing there with an empty egg carton.

  “You got any eggs? The Corner Market’s closed.”

  “Yes. Come on in.” Ben strolled in, glancing over at Aaron, who eyed him. Teagan felt herself turn red. “Oh, sorry. Aaron, this is Ben. My neighbor.”

  The men shook hands and Teagan went to get Ben some eggs.

  “So I hear you’re in the Army, down at Fort Huachuca,” Ben said.

  Great, Teagan thought. Now Aaron knows she told Ben about him.

  “I am,” Aaron said. “I’ve been stationed there about seven years.”

  Ben went on to tell Aaron about his own Army service, that he enlisted at eighteen and served four years. Teagan had completely forgotten that, glad they at least had that in common. Teagan handed the eggs to Ben and went to get a light sweater while the two men chatted.

  After sending Ben on his way, grateful he didn’t say anything stupid, she and Aaron ventured into the warm evening, the hot western sun hidden behind a thin strip of clouds over the Front Range. She led Aaron to her neighborhood’s restaurant district and chose a place that served upscale street food. The place was packed as always, and they got on the waiting list and found a bench in the stone courtyard outside the restaurant.

  “Drink?” Aaron asked her.

  “Sure. Red wine? Malbec if they have it…”

  He went inside, returning after a few minutes with her wine and an amber beer for himself. Teagan sipped her wine, feeling more at ease but still unsure what to think. Aaron was in her city, sitting next to her and waiting to have dinner with her. And while she was still unclear about his intentions, she felt oddly comfortable around him, like she had before. Like she’d known him for much longer.

  They watched people come and go from the restaurant, weaving past a line of people that snaked around the other side of the courtyard and grew longer by the minute.

  “What’s the line for?” Aaron asked.

  “Lick It. An ice cream shop around the corner.”

  “Is it worth that line?”

  “Yes,” she said, smiling. “Do you like ice cream?”

  “Who doesn’t?”

  “Diabetics. The lactose intolerant. People with hypothermia.” She winked.

  Aaron looked at her. “I should know not to be a wiseass around a science teacher.”

  Teagan gave a tiny chuckle. When their patio table was ready, they sat down and ordered, taking in the glimmering tall buildings of downtown Denver. The air was fragrant from nearby flower boxes filled with purple petunias, and strings of lights hung over the rooftop patio.

  “I’m surprised you live in the heart of the city,” Aaron said, looking around at the view.

  “How come?”

  He shrugged. “You love the outdoors. And I guess I picture a writer living in some log cabin in the forest. You know, where no one will bother you. But I suppose that’s a stereotype…”

  “A stereotype I would fully embrace if I could, believe me.” Aaron chuckled at that. “In fact, that’s my goal. But for now, I’m close to campus and… I don’t know. I like old neighborhoods. This one has good food and drinks. And the mountains are an easy drive west.”

  He nodded. “Makes sense. I’d live in Tucson if it weren’t such a long drive.”

  A phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Aaron reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said. He got up and walked away. “Hey,” he said to whomever had called him. The tone of his “hey” suggested it was someone he cared about. Someone important to him. Like a woman. That thought unsettled her. Which was stupid. He wasn’t hers.

  Aaron returned after a minute. “Sorry about that. That was my dad.”

  “Oh,” Teagan said, chagrined at the relief she felt. “Where does he live?”

  “Texas. He and Mom retired there. I forgot to tell them I left town this weekend.”

  “He was career military too, right?”

  He nodded. “Army. He had a long and distinguished career. Don’t think he much likes retirement, though.”

  “Too dull for him?”

  “Definitely
. It’s been hard to watch. He won’t admit it, either. But I can tell, and so can my sister.” He took a sip of his beer. “What about your folks?”

  “Oh, they split ages ago. Mom’s remarried and living in Fort Collins, and Dad moved to Chicago when I was in college.”

  She didn’t tell him the rest. That her Dad almost never called, and that her mom did call but never missed an opportunity to ask Teagan when she was getting rid of her pink hair.

  “Brothers or sisters?” he went on.

  She shook her head. “Just me.”

  He looked surprised. “Only child.”

  She smiled. “I know what you’re thinking. Pink hair, science nerd, socially awkward… makes sense, right?”

  He studied her for a moment. “Pink hair and science nerd, yeah. Not socially awkward, though.”

  “No?” she said, genuinely surprised.

  He shook his head. “You’re super easy to talk to, and you make people feel comfortable.”

  “I do?”

  “From what I’ve seen, yeah.”

  A wave of warmth ran through Teagan. He felt comfortable around her, like she felt around him. She recalled being with Shawn and their friends once, stargazing, and Shawn had called her a dork because she listed off the names of the stars, saying that “regular people just want to stare at them.” To him, she wasn’t “regular people.” Was Aaron’s perception of her more accurate? Maybe. Or maybe he was just being polite. Either way, she had a sudden urge to kiss him. An urge she ignored.

  Their food arrived, small plates of street tacos, chicharrones, olives, calamari, and other vittles. They ate, talking and enjoying the view of downtown on the lively patio. They shared their street food and compared notes on what they liked and what they really liked. It reminded Teagan of their meals in Tucson, where they’d had great conversation and basked in the sunset’s afterglow like it was the most natural thing in the world. Afterward, Teagan made sure she commandeered the check. Aaron tried to argue, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She couldn’t let him pay again. Not when he’d come all that way to see her.