Just as we’re about to hang up, one more message comes in.
Derek:I’m free today if you want to have a picnic in the park with me.
Gag me.
Jesus Christ, Derek, give her a chance to respond before you write a fucking novel about how you feel, how you fucked up, and how you want to make it up to her.
“JP, do you still need to talk?” Huxley asks, pulling me from the anger simmering in the pit of my stomach.
“What? Ah, nah, I’m good,” I say in the most even-toned voice I can muster.
“Okay.” Huxley eyes me. “Text me if you need anything.”
“So excited for you two,” Kelsey says before we all say bye and she disconnects the call. I’m prepared for her to run off and read her text messages, but instead, she turns toward me and asks, “What did Huxley mean when he said you took care of Regis?”
Of course she’d remember that.
I stand from the couch and say, “Nothing to worry about.”
“I am worried,” she says, standing as well. “Clearly, it had something to do with me. What was it?”
“He was just being a dick and I set him straight, is all. It’s not a big deal so don’t make it one.”
“You saw him at the ball last night?”
I exhale sharply and go to the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water. “Yes, I saw him there last night. Addressed the issue and moved on.”
“What was the issue?”
“Jesus, Kelsey, I said it wasn’t a big deal, so just drop it.”
She winces from my strong tone. “Okay, I just... I don’t know. I thought if I understand what’s going on, maybe I can do better.”
“You don’t need to do better. I told you, you’re perfect. Regis was the one who needed to do better.” I chug my water and set down the glass before working my way back to the hallway that leads to my room.
“Where are you going?”
“To my room,” I say.
“You seem angry again.”
Not angry.
I’m hurt.
Disappointed.
Aching for a chance I know I won’t get.
“We just don’t need to talk about it, okay?”
“Okay,” she says, twisting her hands in front of her. “What are you doing today?”
“Not sure,” I answer. “But it seems like you have plans.”
“Yeah, I guess you saw those messages.” She moves her foot in front of her. “What do you think I should do?”
Not come to me for dating advice, that’s for damn sure.
