But the last part?It’s too hard to change me? I have a lot of growing up to do?I don’t want to be with someone who wants to change me or make me feel like I’m hard to love. I’ve been down that road. I’ve heard the “you’re a lot to handle” comments plenty of times and not once have they made me consider changing. I sure as hell won’t make the exception today. I would’ve been fine ending this amicably, I didn’t realize we were throwing punches.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, come on. This can’t be a shock.”
I pull my hand from his grasp.
“Ending our relationship isn’t a shock, no. We should’ve done it a while ago, honestly. And I’m fine with going our separate ways. But telling me that it’s too hard to change me and that I have a lot of growing up to do is a low blow. Especially for you. I won’t change who I am to fit the idea of who you think I should be.”
“All you’re doing right now is proving my point. You’re lashing out and taking this personally.” Drew shakes his head as he sits down to get his shoes on.
I haven’t moved from the spot in my bedroom, my body literally feels frozen. How else would he like me to take it? He insulted me and I’m supposed to just roll over and take it? Before I can say anything, he lets out a sigh and continues to run his mouth.
“You aren’t mature enough for a serious relationship, let alone a marriage. The other day, you asked me to have sex in a damn on-call room, Summer. While we were at work. Are you fucking kidding me?”
I scoff, rolling my eyes at his example.
“First of all, I said I was kidding… and second of all, does the thought of having sex with your girlfriend really disgust you that much? You’ve barely touched me in weeks.”
He stands, rubbing his hands on his blue scrubs as he does. His dark hair is perfectly styled with the most obnoxious comb-over that makes him look ten years older than he actually is. I can’t even believe I’m letting myself sit here and get annoyed by this man.
“I’m sorry if I’ve hurt your feelings, but this”—he gestures between us—“we’re over.”
Drew pulls his phone from the charger and slides it in the pocket of his white coat he just slid his arms into.
“I look forward to us still having a working relationship, though.”
“Oh, lucky me.” I lock my eyes on him.
“You’re a good nurse, Summer.”
“Believe me, I know.”
His lips press together, as if forcing them closed not to say anything more before turning his back to me and leaving my bedroom.
My bare feet shuffle across the cool wood floor as I follow him.
I hear the doorknob turn without a word from him and before he officially leaves my apartment, I call his name.
He stops and looks down at me. I let myself study his face for a moment. The face of a cowardly man who was trying to prolong the inevitable today.
“If yourwifedoesn’t ask you to have sex in an on-call room, joke or not, your relationship is boring and I stand by that. Have the day you deserve, Dr. McCall,” I say quietly, closing the door in his face.
After a break up, I’d normally feel some sadness, regret even or a longing to have them back. Not today, though. I feel relieved. Like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders that I didn’t actually realize needed to be lifted until thirty minutes ago.
Thank God I don’t have to go to the hospital today and see him all over again.
Sundays are for football.
“You promised me sunshine and tequila when I said yes to moving here, yet lately, I’m seeing no sunshine and very littletequila.” The umbrella pops open in front of me as I’m standing under the covered walkway, ready to trek back through the stadium.
It’s now pouring rain and we’re trying to make our way back to the family suite. I’m just glad Mia decided to bring the kids to this game, otherwise Abby and Mia would want to be out in this awful rain, sitting in the stands wearing their ponchos like all of the other fans.
“Weather is a fickle little bitch, isn’t it?” Abby snarks as she rushes past me. Having her as my best friend for the last twenty years really has been the highlight of my life. And I take comfort in the fact that we are completely filterless with one another.
Her long brown hair is up in a high ponytail and the windbreaker she’s wearing bears her last name, Anderson, in big bold letters. She and Ford have been married for just over a year now, but I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the fact that she’s married to an NFL player.
“I’m going to bust out of these jeans, who let me have so many waffles before we even left the house?” Mia holds her stomach that sports a tiny baby bump. It’ll be her and Nate’s third, since they already have twin boys, and I think she’s already booked Nate’s vasectomy.
