Page 100 of In It to Win It

“I don’t even know. It’s a long story.” I sigh. “I have a lot to tell you.”

“Start talking.”

I tell her about my mom. And Shirley. And coming here to let Byron comfort me and then most of what happened after that. “I was so upset,” I explain. “And JP was so nice to me . . . and I told him I’m not seeing Anthony anymore, and, well . . .”

“Oh my God.”

“Yeah. It’s been . . . brewing between us ever since the wedding.”

“You know . . . he’s kind of a player, right?”

“I know.”

“He’s not a settle-down kind of guy.”

“I know that too. And I don’t want that.” I lean my head back into the couch cushions. “My parents’ separating has made me think about a lot of things. If they couldn’t make it, why would I think I can? What’s the point? So if I feel something hot and exciting for JP, why not go with it? It’s not going to be forever. Nothing is.”

Silence presses on my ears. “I’m going to have to disagree with you on that,” she finally says.

“I mean except for you and Théo, of course.” They’re deliriously happy now, sure, but there are no guarantees, even for a couple who seem so perfect. I don’t tell her that, though.

“Of course.” She pauses. “I don’t like hearing you say that.”

“Say what? That I’m giving up on love?”

“Yeah.” Her voice is tinged with sadness. “That’s not you, Tay.”

“Sure it is. So don’t worry about me and JP.”

I can tell I’m not convincing her.

“Okay,” she says slowly. “Can I tell Théo?”

“Sure. It’s not a secret.”

“Maybe the four of us can go out sometime.”

“That would be fun.” I think. Or would it be too . . . serious? Too couple-like? Well, I’ll let JP deal with that.

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Lacey says. “That must have been quite a shock. You never knew that about her?”

“Nope. Not at all. Why would I? She was happily married. At least, Ithoughtshe was?—”

“Wait, shewashappily married. Don’t let this taint your whole past. She wasn’t lying to you.”

I let out a whoosh of breath. “That’s what JP said too.”

“Huh.”

“Huh what?”

She chuckles. “Sounds like JP is a smart guy.”

“He’s been really . . . supportive.”

“Is that a euphemism?”

Now I laugh. “No. I mean that.”

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