“And why is that?” She cocked her head.
“Because believe it or not, I do care about you, and I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Sam—”
“No, really.” She removed one hand from her pocket and gripped her purse strap. “Because in my experience, people who care about you don’t end things through text messages.”
I deserved that.
“I know I didn’t handle it the right way, and I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“But you did. And you know what? I’m okay. The great Cold Castile didn’t damage me the way he thought he did.”
“You look tired and thinner.”
“I was sick.”
“With?” My brows furrowed.
“Flu and sinus infection.”
“Are you better now?”
“Almost,” she said as the city traffic rushed by us.
“We should talk,” I cautiously said.
“About what? There’s nothing left to say, Wes. At least, I don’t have anything to say.”
She was right. What could I possibly say? Sorry I let my fears destroy us. Sorry that I miss you every singlefucking day. Sorry that I still reach for my phone every morning to text you. None of it felt like enough.
“That’s what I thought. How’s work?” she asked.
“What?” I frowned.
“You know. The thing you chose over me.”
“Sam, that’s not?—”
“How are the meetings? The deals? The endless emails and phone calls?” She tilted her head. “Everything going according to your plans?”
I lowered my head and stared at the ground because there wasn’t an answer I could give her that didn’t make me sound like an idiot.
“I miss you.” The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them.
“Good for you, but that’s not my problem anymore.” She began to walk away and then stopped. “You don’t get to check on me, Wes. You gave up that right via text message. I’m going into that coffee shop and grabbing a coffee. Do not follow me.”
I stood there with my hands tucked into my pants pockets and watched the woman I fell in love with leave me standing on the sidewalk. I deserved every word she said to me, and I hated myself for it.
Ben slowly pulled up to where I stood. Climbing in the back, I slammed the door shut.
“Are you okay, Wes?” He glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
“No, Ben. I’m not.”
“Didyou read over the speech I gave you?” Kylie asked as Ben drove us to Manhattan Heights High School.
