Wear warm clothing and make sure to pack an extra change of clothes, socks as well. Bring a coat. I’ll pick you up at seven a.m.
Ire-read the text Mateo sent just a bit ago, wondering what he has up his sleeve for tomorrow. When he told me he was taking me out on a proper date this Wednesday, I figured he was planning something simple here in the city, but now I’m not so sure.
“What do you think Mateo has planned?” Erin asked, leaning back on my headboard, watching me try to pick an outfit for tomorrow.
“Honestly, I have no clue. Warm clothing makes me think of the ice rink, but I doubt that.” I put a simple gray T-shirt on the bed next to my black leggings.
“That’s too simple,” Erin agreed. “Maybe he’s taking you on a hot air balloon and confessing his love while a plane draws a heart in the sky.”
I rested my hands on my hips and gave her a look. “A hot air balloon and a plane?”
“What? It could happen.”
“Uh huh.” I watched as her hands played with a thread from my duvet. She’s been acting off for well over two weeks now, which was starting to become concerning. Pausing what I was doing, I took a seat on the edge of my bed. “Is everything okay?”
Erin was quiet for a good minute, refusing to meet my eyes. I was seconds away from demanding she tell me when she let out a giant sigh.
“I messed up, Em.” Erin finally looked at me, her brown eyes wet like she was trying her best not to cry.
“Oh, E.” I scooted up the bed until I was beside her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “What is it?”
“I wasn’t supposed to fall for two guys at once. It was supposed to be a fun little fling.” She rambled as she leaned into my side, letting out a soft sniffle. “I like them, Em. I really like them.”
I shifted so I could look at her. “Why are you acting like that’s some kind of crime?”
“Because…I like JakeandPerry. That’s not right.”
I wrapped my arm tighter around her. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re allowed to care about more than one person, Erin.”
“But it feels more than just caring. It’s like theyfitwith me. For the first time in my life, I feel seen and not just by one person, but two. They listen when I talk about books and writing. Hell, Jake went and bought a copy of my favorite book and read it. Who the hell does that?” Erin scrunched her nose up.
“And then Perry brought me five different kinds of ice cream the other day when I had horrible cramps. He stayed with me all day cuddling and watching movies,” she continued.
“It sounds like it stopped being a fling a while ago.” My hand rubbed up and down her arm.
“For me it has but for them… I don’t know. There’s no way either of them want to actually be with me separately, let alone together. There’s no way that would work for the three of us.”
“Erin.” I went to chastise her because both of them would be lucky to be with her.
“Em, they’re two hot football players. They live in a world where they can get any woman they want. And me… I’m just a writer who rarely leaves the house.” Her voice cracked at the end. The way she said it told me she’d been thinking about this for a while.
“Hey, look at me.” I shifted until I was facing her, legs crossed together. My heart squeezed at her hopeless expression. “You’re not just a writer. You’re smart, funny, kind, and beautiful. Both men should count their lucky stars that they get to be in your presence,” I said fiercely.
“How many people in the world can say they write books for a living? That they have a six-figure book deal with the world's largest publisher? That is how incredible you are!” I reached for her hand, squeezing it between both of mine. “Jake and Perry clearly see what I see in you.”
She gave me a watery smile. “I just… I didn’t expect to fall for them.”
“Feelings don’t follow rules. You can’t decide when, where, or who.” My expression softened.
“I don’t want to choose, Em.” She swallowed as her fingers tightened around mine. “I don’t want one or the other. I want both.” Her eyes flicked up to mine. “Jake makes me feel steady, like I can breathe. And Perry… He makes everything feel bigger.”
“Then don’t choose.”
“Is it really that simple?”
“Yes.” I shrugged, shuffling closer. “I’m not saying it will be easy, because it will be hard navigating a relationship likethat, but if they make you happy…maybe that’s worth figuring out instead of fighting.”
“I’m scared they don’t feel the same way,” Erin admitted softly.
