Page 100 of A Good Book

She handed me a note. Whatever she had to say was premeditated and scripted before I got home.

I cleaned your room.

I nodded. “I didn’t ask you to, so if you’re waiting for a thank-you, you’ll be waiting for a long time.”

She handed me a second notecard.

I found a pile of letters from Gabby.

I shook my head and shrugged. “So?”

You never opened them.

Again, I shrugged.

Tillie averted her gaze for a few seconds while worry lines etched along her brow.

She handed me another notecard.

I read them.

I frowned. “Stay out of my stuff.”

She nodded toward my nightstand, where the letters were neatly stacked.

You’re an asshole.

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. I’m aware. Stay out of my business.”

Tillie smacked the notecard into my chest with a punch, and her lips moved. I didn’t understand her words, but I read the anger in her expression, the emotions in her eyes. I didn’t open Gabby’s letters. So what? Tillie had no idea how much just receiving them hurt me. I didn’t have the strength to read them. And Gabby deserved a man who wasn’t weak like me.

Tillie had one notecard left, and I plucked it from her hand before she willingly gave it to me. Then, I shoved her out of my room and shut the door.

If you don’t read them, I’m telling Mom what’s inside.

Sex.

Gabby must have mentioned we had sex. Did I want my mom reading “how could you treat me that way after taking my virginity” letters? No. But Gabby was angry, and rightfully so. I stared at the letters. Her words would cut deeply because I loved her and hated myself.

I sat on the edge of my bed and picked up the first letter. Tillie had them in the order in which Gabby sent them.

Dear Ben,

How’s your room? Are you making fun Lego creations? I heard a song the other day and thought of you. I’d tell you the name of it, but what does it matter? You can’t hear. That’s your new job, right? Being deaf? Does that pay well? Or do you have a part-time job working for Hallmark? You really should since you have such a way with words. You could write breakup cards.

Did I tell you that Olivia moved out? I have the dorm room all to myself, so when I want to have sex with Matt, no one interrupts us.

I hope you’re doing well. Say hi to Tillie and your parents.

Regards,

Gabby

“Fuck you, Tillie,” I said, tearing the letter into tiny pieces. I wasn’t going to read another word. And if she thought she could blackmail me, she had another thing coming.

I took the next envelope and tore it up.

And the next.

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