Page 5 of Romero and Juliette

“I hear your words, and I appreciate your opinions about my life, but I'm not going to ask her out. I'm fine. I don't need anybody.”

“Well, that is a crock of shit. Everybody needs somebody.”

“I don’t. Some people were made to be alone. I'm one of those guys.”

“Oh yeah, you're, what, the Lone Ranger?” Then he guffaws. “I didn't even mean to make that pun.”

“You’re a regular old comedian. Let’s just drop it about Buttercup. I’m not asking her out. Besides, I’m kind of bonding with this chick on that dating app Evan signed me up for.”

“The kid did that?”

“Yeah, about six months ago. I ignored it for months. But then decided to just see what it was about.”

“I hope your username isn’t The Lone Ranger.”

“Fucker.”

chapter

three

Cruz

The only thing that ever takes my mind off of Buttercup is my conversations with Fleetwood. Until now, dating apps haven’t really been my thing. Sure, when I was younger, I’d use them for the rare, no-strings-attached hook-up. Because how the hell else is a single guy in special forces who’s only state-side a couple of days at a time supposed to meet anyone?

Once I left the rangers, I tried a couple of the apps more suited to actual dating. It always felt flat. Forced.

Chatting with a stranger felt like a chore rather than something that might develop into a real relationship. Until Fleetwood. She’s easy to talk to, even if we’re not talking about anything real or meaningful. Everything with her feels effortless.

It’s still hard to imagine it turning into an honest relationship when there’s another woman taking up so much space in my mind, but I’m working on it. I like Fleetwood. It feels like the kind of friendship that could develop into something real if my fucking libido would get out of the way.

I started up the conversation because I needed someone to take my mind off Buttercup, but now, chatting with Fleetwood is the best part of my day.

FleetwdLvr05: You never said what you do for work.

Mustang_Ranger: I drive a lot.

FleetwdLvr05: Like Uber?

Mustang_Ranger: Something like that.

FleetwdLvr05: Mysterious and evasive. That’s quite the combo.

Mustang_Ranger: Maybe I’m secretly a spy.

FleetwdLvr05: You’d have to be smoother for that.

Mustang_Ranger: You wound me.

FleetwdLvr05: You’ll live, Ranger.

Mustang_Ranger: You say that like you care.

FleetwdLvr05: Maybe I do. Maybe I’m just being polite.

Mustang_Ranger: I don’t think you’re ever just polite.

FleetwdLvr05: You say that like you think you know me.