Page 49 of Best of Me

“Irrelevant. Now spill.”

I tell her everything, from start to finish. “I…I just feel so stupid, Ash.”

“You’re not stupid, Mally.”

“He played me. Like a dang fiddle.”

My best friend makes a noise in the back of her throat. “Did he though? No, listen. You told me he said he just sort of froze and I think he’s telling the truth.”

“Whose side are you on?” I cry, sounding like one of my kindergarteners when they don’t get their way.

“Yours, always. Which is why I want you to listen to me. As much as you don’t want to hear this, Duke had a point. Even though they’ve never met Valorie, they all know he was with her and they all know you’re her twin. People love to judge and the thought of having to choose between them or you or to even have to explain himself or defend his relationship with you probably freaked him out to the point of shutting down. Does that make it right? No. But, from what you’ve said, I think he realizes he messed up and feels bad. I think if you let him, he’ll prove over and over just how much you mean to him.”

My eyes fill with tears again—I swear, I’m starting to think I’m defective. I didn’t even cry this much when I lived with my parents. “You really think so?”

“Yeah, I do. But, don’t take either of our words for it. Let himshowyou.”

“But what if he doesn’t?” I ask, the thought filling me with dread.

“Then fuck him.”

I smile for the first time since the whole bowling alley fiasco went down yesterday. “Thanks, Ash. Love you big.”

“Love you bigger; let me know how it goes.” She ends the call and I melt back into my bed. I may be caffeinated and showered, but I’m still not quite ready to face the day.

Apparently, the universe has other plans for me though, because right as I get comfy there’s a knock at my door. Figuring it’s Duke, I holler, “Go away, Duke!”

The sound of a key in my lock has me bolting upright. I tense as the door opens. “It’s not Duke, it’s your landlord dearest here for a broken heart check. It’s in your lease, subsection three or something.”

As much as I don’t want to, I smile. I’m still not used to having anyone other than Ash. The question is…is she here for me or for him?

“C’mon, Mally, we’ve brought you something.”

“We who?” I ask, instantly on edge.

The sound of little feet racing up the stairs followed by a blur of brown curls racing my way is my only answer. “Ms. Mally!” Tatum launches herself at me like a little spider monkey. “Look! I’m here!”

“Tatum Warner! Get your tail downstairs!” Natalie yells.

Tatum huffs out an over the top sigh. “Yes, ma’am.” She scrambles off my bed, tugging on my hand. “You, too. Aunt Jenny brought all kinds of stuff. She said you needed a happy.”

I smile at her sweet innocence. “You being here already has me happy.”

“For reals?” Tatum studies me. “You don’t look happy.”

Thanks a lot, kid.“Oh, yeah? And how do I look?”

“Like Amelia looked after Hayes kicked over her blocks last week.”

I try and swallow but my throat feels like sandpaper. Kids see so much more than we give them credit for. “Head on down, sweetheart. I’ll be right there, okay?”

Tatum gives me one more slow lookover before flying back down the stairs. I quickly shuck off Duke’s shirt, trading it for a tank top with an oversized cardigan. I give myself a few more seconds of peace before joining everyone downstairs.

“So, y’all are here,” I state as I step into the kitchen.

“We are,” Jenny replies. “And we brought reinforcements.”

Shaking my head to clear my racing brain, I ask, “What does that even mean?”

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