“I mean, we’re going on all of these stupid dates to try and find me the right guy, and then we find one who’s actually amazing, and you act like…” She flicks her eyes at me, her gaze searing the flesh off my bones. “You act like a cantankerous old man.”
“I didn’t mean to?—”
“Poor Vicky! Who knows what she’s saying to her aunt and uncle right now.”
I cringe, rubbing the back of my hair.
“I just don’t know if I can do this anymore.”
It’s like a punch to the gut… and I can’t keep denying why that is.
My heart starts to race, pounding through my body like an army marching to its doom.
After a heavy sigh, she mumbles, “I’m wondering if we should just… drop this whole thing.”
“Don’t say that,” I croak. “I’m gonna find you the right guy.”
“Atlas was the right guy!” she snaps. “And he’s dead.”
The words slash through me, and I’m a wounded warrior, swaying on my feet as I watch her nostrils flare, her expression buckling for a second before she pulls it back into line.
“And Rhys was nice. He was awesome.” She clears her throat, her arms tightening around herself like she’s not telling me something.
My insides revolt, but I force myself to keep it locked down. She deserves better than me complaining about her finding a decent guy.
I’m such an asshole.
Gritting my teeth, I look away from her, squeezing the back of my neck and reprimanding myself for not being a better friend.
Stop acting like a dick!
“So, you gonna go out with him again?” I shove my hands into my pockets and tip back on my heels, my heart now marching right down to my knees.
“Yeah, maybe,” she mutters, then flicks her arms in the air while this acidic cloud of smoke fills my chest. “I just don’t get it, you know?”
I don’t actually know but decide that giving her the space to rant is the best option, so I don’t try to work it out.
“I mean, did you not like Rhys? Was there something wrong with him?”
That cloud turns to a toxic gas, and breathing becomes nearly impossible. All I can manage is a short shake of my head.
“Is something else going on with you? Is that why you tried to screw up this date?”
I wince and shake my head again but still can’t find the words I need.
She tuts, rolling her eyes. “This is useless. If you’re not gonna talk to me, then this debrief is a waste of fucking time!” she growls. “Just forget it. I can work this shit out on my own!”
With a huff, she flicks her arms up, then goes to storm away.
Don’t let her leave! Tell her the truth!
Panic clutches me, and I snatch her wrist before she can go.
“He wasn’t me,” I whisper.
“What?” she snaps, turning to frown at me.
My heart’s now jumped up into my throat, pulsing right next to that boulder that’s stealing all of my volume.
