This could be the big break I’ve been praying for, and the first person I want to tell is him… but I don’t even know if he wants to see me right now.
I don’t blame him.
I wouldn’t want to see myself either.
But we’re friends first and foremost.
“Screw it.”
I slip on some Crocs and head downstairs and across the yard.
We have to see each other sometime.
Why not now?
forty-nine
Fletcher
Hi.” My mouth is dry, the word sounding more like a croak than actual English. I don’t think I was expecting to see her so soon.
I thought we’d at least get back down to campus before I saw her again. We’d tell all of our friends we broke up and that things would be fine because it ended amicably. So, then, the first time I’d see her, we’d be surrounded by other people.
But instead, she’s at my front door.
As sadistic as it might sound, I like that she’s still wearing her clothes from last night. Sure, she added a pair of sweatpants under her red dress, but it shows that she was just as messed up over the whole thing as I was.
Hell, I’ve only been in new clothes for about an hour, and if Chase didn’t come into my room when he did, I might still be in them.
“This is weird, isn’t it?” She rocks back on her heels. “I shouldn’t have come over. I almost didn’t, but I thought, well, we’re friends. But maybe it’s too soon. It’s probably too soon, right?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
And I honestly don’t.
Is there a standard timeline for something like this?
“Tate?”
Tate’s gaze goes from me to over my shoulder, a nervous smile filling her face.
“Hey, Chase.” Her eyes meet mine again, and by the look in them, she’s asking if he knows. I just nod. “I was just stopping by, and now I’ve realized how stupid it is that I even came over here. So, I’m going to go.” She points toward her house. “I’ll see you back at school?”
It's not a statement; it’s a question.
She’s not sure if I’ll be down for us just being friends. She promised me she wasn’t going anywhere, but I didn’t make that same promise, and she’s worried she’s going to loseme.
“Tate.” Chase’s hand falls onto my shoulder. “You know you’re always welcome here. Come in.”
“No, really, I—”
“Tate,” I cut her off. I don’t say anything else; I just step out of the way to give her enough space to enter.
“Thanks.”
“I’m going to go check on my lovely wife and make sure she doesn’t need anything.” Chase’s eyes bounce between us. “You two should talk.”
He pats me on the back and then disappears down the hallway.
