What the actual fuck?
“Just breathe, and take it easy—tell me what’s freaking you out.”
I’m in shock.
“I don’t want to talk to you about it, Donovan.”
“But that’s what couples do.”
What has this guy been smoking?
“What the hell are you talking about?” I stare at him. “You and me, we’re not…”
I can barely say the word. I clench my jaw. HeknowsI’m not looking for a boyfriend. Heknowswe’re just… We’re… My brain hurts, and I’m suddenly so, so tired.
“You think that just because we have sex and I let you kiss me—right? That doesn’t mean we’re actually together.”
His eyes widen. The walls are closing in on me. I don’t know whatI just said, exactly, but Idoknow I need to get out of this car as soon as possible.
He lets out a strained laugh. “Turns out I’m dumber than I thought. I guess since I like spending time with you and I thought the feeling was mutual, I just kinda assumed we were together. Stupid me.” He clears his throat. “So, enlighten me—what exactly are we?”
Game on.
“I’m just a girl who gives you shitty life hacks for dating, when I don’t even believe that total bullshit myself,” I bat back.
He waits a beat. “It felt like we were getting pretty deep to me.”
I shrug. “It was just physical. I guess my boundaries slipped a little.”
My head is totally scrambled—I’m as messed up as the shitstorm that’s probably waiting for me back in Cincy. I unfasten my seat belt, grab my bag, and duck out of the car, lurching down to the main street, my vision a blur.
I fish out my phone and start ordering an Uber, when suddenly, there’s a hand on my arm.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Catching a bus,” I say. I sound like a robot.
I snatch my arm back and turn away, but Donovan strides in front of me and puts his hands on my shoulders, rooting me to the ground.
My temper flares. “Get out of my way!”
“Not until you tell me why you’re throwing a match under all this.”
I stare at him. “You really don’t get it, do you? I have bigger shit than this to deal with right now.”
“You’re right—I don’t get it.”
Tears of anger well up in me. “This is a family emergency, Donovan!”
“And I want to help!” he yells. “That’s how this works! You helped me—let me do the same for you.”
“I don’tneedyour help!” I spit. “I’m sick of this whole situation!Things are good with your sister now. Yay!” I pump the air. “So, let’s just drop the theatrics. Okay?”
He gives me a hard look. “I get it—you’re stressed. But don’t talk shit. Look at us!” He gestures at the space between us. “Why are you acting like there’s nothing going on here? Sure, at the start it was just about sex. But don’t tell me things haven’t changed—you fuckingknowthey have.”
Wrong. My mom is still a thorn in my side. And I’m still the same old Carrie.
“You made me lose sight of the end goal for a minute there. Slow-clap,” I say coldly. “You should be proud of yourself, Donovan. I’m pretty sure you can pick up any girl you want now.”
