Page 25 of Best of Me

I shrug, trying to act unaffected. But when I turn to face her, the sight of her tear-dampened cheeks is too much for me to take. “Just fucking leave. Go home,” I mutter before stalking out of the room.

I asked her here for answers, and instead I find myself with balls so blue they’re purple and more questions than ever.

chapter fourteen

Mallory

“Ash!” I whine into the phone, my voice grating to even my own ears. “He’s crazy! He’s makingmecrazy! For real. The first day of school is in two days, and I don’t even have my parent letters written out or my classroom Facebook group set up yet!”

The sound of my best friend snickering trickles through the line, amping up my aggravation a notch or twenty.

“Ashley Murphy! If you’re just gonna laugh at my misery, then—”

“That’s a mighty strong word, Mally.” Her voice is laced with amusement…at my freaking expense, I might add.

“Strongly accurate,” I sass back. “I mean seriously, three times now he’s kissed me, and three times, he’s acted like I’ve kicked his puppy afterward.”

“I’m just gonna throw something out there, okay, and it’s probably gonna make you mad, but I want you to hear me out.”

“I’ll try.” After a lifetime of disappointments, I try my best not to make promises I can’t keep.

“That’s all I’m asking.” Ashley sighs before continuing. “I think he’s into you. Not just a little either—he’s into you a lot. And I don’t mean you as Valorie’s twin; he has feelings foryou, Mallory, and it scares him shitless.”

“Riiiight, okay.” I try to brush her words off, but they push beneath my skin like porcupine quills, the barbs burrowing into me.

“You can only treat your feelings like a joke for so long before you have to own them.”

“You’re wrong.”

“I’m not; you know I’m not. Furthermore, his feelings aren’t one-sided. You want him every bit as much as he wants you. Only, you think it’s wrong, so you feel guilty and that guilt—which I can guarantee he’s feeling as well—is practically drowning the two of you, causing you both to lash out. Y’all need to talk it out. Not fight. Not bicker. Not make out. But T-A-L-K talk. Do you hear me?”

I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me. “I hear you.”

“Good. And, Mally, I’m gonna follow up on this, so you better make an effort. Now, go write your letters and make your group. You’re gonna be the best kindergarten teacher Bay Ridge Elementary has ever seen!”

“Yeah, yeah. Love you big.”

“Love you bigger,” she replies before ending the call.

The first week of school passes in a blur of ABCs, 123s, shapes, and colors. I’m pleasantly surprised by the lack of tears from my kindergarteners. These little humans are so incredibly brave; I know on my first day of school, I bawled my eyes out. Though, that could’ve had a lot to do with my parents walking Valorie to class the entire first week while leaving me to fend for myself. Heck, I even had to make my own lunch because my mother neglected to load any money into my lunch account. Even at five, I knew that wasn’t right. I also knew better than to question it, so when the lunch lady questioned me on it, I laughed it off and fibbed about forgetting that I was actually a lunchbox that day. In hindsight, I don’t think she believed me, but she never said anything, seeing as every day after I came to the cafeteria with a brown paper bag in hand, even if it only had an apple and string-cheese inside of it. I’m also blown away by how bright the kids in my classroom are—especially Tatum. That little girl is next-level smart—not that I’d ever show her favoritism.

It’s six o’clock on Friday night, and instead of being out celebrating the first week of a new school year in the books, I’m home bingingHart of Dixieand working on my lesson plans for the coming month. If I were still in Cottonwood, Ashley would’ve made me go out to celebrate. And it’s not that I was averse to going out tonight, but Jenny and Nate are having a date night, Natalie and Alden are catering an event, and Duke…well, who the hell knows what he’s up to—probably staring at a voodoo doll crafted in my likeness as he contemplates new ways to aggravate me.

Regardless of what he’s up to, everyone is busy tonight, leaving me to fly solo. I guess it’s a good thing I’m pretty used to being alone.

I’m re-upping my snack supply between episodes when I hear my phone trill in the other room. It’s probably Ashley texting me pics of whatever poor sap she has her sights set on tonight. God love her, she’s determined to find Mr. Right, even if it means working her way through a thousand Mr. Wrongs. Fro-yo pop in hand, I meander back into the living room, ready to start the next episode. As I’m settling back into my spot on the couch, my phone sounds again, reminding me of the unread message.

I wolf down the mint chocolate chip goodness, licking the stick clean, and snag my phone from where I left it on the coffee table. I tap the screen a few times, navigating to my texts, only to drop the phone onto my lap when I see it’s actually Duke and not Ashley.

Duke: 8:00, The Gilded Goat. Be there.

I read the message twice, just to make sure my eyes aren’t playing tricks on me. Why on earth would he want to meet up? Also, who does he think he is, telling me where to be and when? I’m about to reply when another text comes through.

Duke: We need to talk. For real this time. Please?

It’s the please that does me in, because Duke Kincaid doesn’t seem like the kind of man to plead for anything.

Me: Yeah, sure. See you soon.

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