“I’m going to take your silence as a no.”
“I’m sorry. I should—” I cut myself off, suddenly unsure of what I should do.
“You want to be close to her in case she wants to talk.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Stop saying that. I totally understand.”
“I don’t deserve you,” I say, hoping she sees my genuine gratitude.
“It’s funny, I feel the same way about you. Why do you sell yourself short? How come you can’t see the wonderful man that I do? You’ve given up the last six years of your life for me. You’re a good friend, rafiq.”
“I’m not a good man.”
“And I’m telling you that you are. A little stubborn clearly, but a good man, nonetheless. I know you carry the weight of your grief over your brother’s death on your shoulders, but I need you to hear this. You’ve helped me more than you know. You’ve paid your penance, not that you needed to, but clearlythe guilt you’ve been holding onto about your brother is telling you otherwise. So stop beating yourself up and go after her. You deserve to be happy more than anyone I know.”
——————
Once I make it back to campus and collapse onto my bed, I pull out my phone. Emma still hasn’t read my texts so I decide to reach out to the only person I can think of who might know where she is.
Have you heard from Emma?
She’s not at her place.
Alyx
She was babysitting for Becka tonight.
About that…
What the fuck did you do?
If you broke her heart, I will fucking end you, bro. Even if you do have a few inches and lbs of muscle on me.
Respectfully
Are you done?
Start talking.
I had plans with my brother tonight.
How does this involve Emma?
Becka is my sister-in-law.
Robert’s your brother?
Yeah, why?
…No reason.
Did you hook up with my brother?
…
Never mind, I don’t want to know.
