Page 12 of Sure, Pal

I froze and turned back to look at her. “Oh, do you want me to stay?” My heart was beating faster than it should’ve been.

Sienna’s cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink. “Oh. Um, you don’t have to.” She stared at her hands. “Thanks for the food!”

“I’ll stay.” I walked back over and sat in the chair at her bedside. “But you’ll have to share your fries.”

Sienna flashed me a grin and said, “Deal.”

“So, I saw your dad tonight. He is…”

“An asshole?” Sienna’s mouth was full of fries.

I shrugged with a grin. “I mean, you said it. Did your mom stop by? Ava said you hadn’t seen her yet.”

Sienna sighed. “Not yet. My dad said he’d call her, but she gets lost in her art.”

I grabbed some fries and nodded toward her phone that sat beside her. “Your phone was ringing right before I brought it over to you. Maybe that was her.”

Sienna frowned. “Uh, yeah. Maybe.” She reached over to pick up her phone. “Wow. It was her. I’m honestly shocked.” Sienna held her phone to her ear and listened to a message. “Wow. She’s on her way over.”

I watched Sienna with narrowed eyes. I was pissed that she had to wonder if her parents cared about her.

Sienna caught sight of my face and burst out laughing. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you all mad?”

I shook my head. “I feel like your parents should both be here right now. It bugs me that they’re not.”

Sienna shrugged and looked down. “It doesn’t matter. I’m fine.” The sadness in her voice made me ache to wrap her up in my arms.

I almost did it, but then my phone rang. It was Ava. I stared at the phone for a minute, wondering if I should silence the call or answer it — wondering if I should choose Ava or Sienna.

“You gonna answer that?” Sienna asked.

I met her gaze and felt my heart start to race. I wanted to choose Sienna, but I didn’t know what she was thinking. She always left my head spinning, and my heart pounding. The stakes were so high with Sienna, and I was too afraid of falling.

I swallowed and gazed into her eyes. Then, like a dumbass loser, I smiled and answered the phone. I chose Ava again because she was the safer choice. Ava didn’t scare the shit out of me. Ava made it obvious how she felt. There was zero risk.

“What’s up, Aves?”

“Where are you? I’m at your house, and your mom doesn’t know where you are. I thought you were dropping off Sienna’s shit like an hour ago.” Ava sounded a little whiny. I pretended not to hear it.

“Oh, I stopped by the hospital to bring Sienna her phone. I figured she’d want it if she’s stuck here by herself all night.”

“Aw!” Ava gushed. “You are the sweetest! So are you on your way back now?” Ava lowered her voice and said, “Charlie’s watching that dumb show, and she keeps giving me weird looks when I don’t laugh.”

I laughed out loud. Charlie was probably pissed about having to hang out with my girlfriend. “Yeah, I’ll be there in a few.”

“K, love you, baby.”

I glanced over at Sienna. She was eating her burger and staring out the window at the dark parking lot. “Love you too,” I said as quickly as I could and hung up the phone. “So,” I said to Sienna. “That was Ava.”

“Figured.” Sienna still looked out the window. “I mean, unless you and Rob have decided to take your bromance to the next level.”

I laughed out loud. “We’ve thought about it. Is Rob a good kisser? I’ve heard that you would know.”

Sienna turned to look at me with wide eyes. She ignored my question and asked, “So, what’s Ava up to?”

“She’s watching Parks and Rec with Charlie.”

Sienna glanced at me, unsmiling. “You better go save her.”

I sighed. “Yep. When is your mom coming?”

Sienna gave me a wooden smile. “I’m sure any minute. Go rescue Ava. I’ll see you at school next week.” Sienna held up her hand for a high five. “Thanks for my phone and the food.”

I returned her high five, wishing it was a hug, and said, “No problem, pal. See you soon.” I stood to walk out just as Sienna’s mom arrived. Good. Sienna wouldn’t be alone.

I shook her mom’s hand and walked out the door, turning to glance at Sienna one more time before leaving.

Why didn’t I have enough courage to choose the girl I really wanted?

---