Mumbling under my breath, we go inside. Greeting the doorman, she chats a bit with the elderly man while I press the up button, watching the elevator descend.
She remains perfectly quiet on the ride up, which pisses me off.
“You said nothing will change.”
She gulps, wearing a guilty expression as she grabs her luggage and walks out, suitcase trailing behind her.
I watch her disappear inside her apartment, and I shove the key inside my door, half expecting it to break in the lock. Dragging my luggage inside, I need to do something, or I’ll implode, so I unpack.
I miss her already. Sinking on the sofa, I turn on my phone. Messages from my teammates barrel in. Strangely, there’s just one person I’d like to talk to.
I call Levi. “Hi, man.” My voice sounds tired, and he picks up on that.
“Shouldn’t you be all relaxed after your vacation with your ‘just friend’?”
A deep exhale, ringing of despondency vibrates in my throat. “I love her, Levi.”
That silences him for a moment. “Let it all out.”
I tell him everything, and he says, “You can’t convince her if she thinks she’s doing the right thing by you. It took Amelie years…”
“And then you happened, idiot,” I mumble.
He sighs. “Really? You’re going there?”
“Yes. I’m still pissed at you, but I still need my best friend. So how are you?”
“This physical therapy is atrocious, but I figured out what I want to do with my life.”
“Crawl back to my sister until she takes you back?”
“That’s the plan, the moment I can get on my knee.” A beat of silence follows before he says, “I realized something.”
“Do tell.” Talking about his plans is better than drowningin my misery.
“I wanted to give her my best version. Even when I needed her the most. I couldn’t stop myself, but I’m working on that.”
“Good.”
While he tells me he’s thinking of opening a sports management agency, I am relieved he’s getting his life on track this fast. I know what motivates him: my sister.
“I’m proud of you, man. You’re going to be successful,” I say assuredly.
“Will you be my first client?”
“Of fucking course. But you get to deal with the legal stuff now. I just want to sign with you.”
“Thank you, man,” he says, emotion thick in his voice.
Hanging up, I glare at my door, which remains closed.
After I shower, I make myself a sandwich, then play a video game. I feel out of place in my own home.
It’s been hours, and no sign of her. I doubt her father is still there.
I type a message.
Lilly?
