Page 14 of Delay of Game

“We can’t,” I say, my shoulders deflating. I don’t want her to hate me, but I need her to understand that this can’t happen again.

“Why?” she asks, eyes shining with tears. Fuck, I hate myself for putting them there.

“I got carried away, I’m sorry. But this can’t happen again, Al. You’re—“ I stop, not wanting to say the next words.

Alice reaches for me, but I move away from the bed, running a hand over my tired face. “I’m what?” she asks shakily.

“You’re like my family. I can’t—It would be too complicated, and I can’t deal with complicated right now.”

When I look back at her, Alice is biting her lip hard, trying not to cry. I look away because I can’t risk giving in again, and comforting her would mean just that.

“Just because it’s complicated, you don’t even want to try?”

I shake my head, not being able to look her in the eyes. “I can’t,” I say, voice steadier than expected. “I’m sorry.”

Alice nods, but everything about her expression is closed off. She lays back down and holds a pillow to her chest, burying her face in it.

“Turn the lights off on your way out.”

The dismissal hurts, but I should have expected it. I’m the asshole that just put an end to this crush in the first place. I deserve it.

“For what it’s worth, I really am sorry, Al,” I say softly, and flip the switch, casting her room in shadows.

CHAPTER 5

Three Years Ago – February

Alice

I smiledown at my phone, reading all the birthday texts from my friends and family group chat.

Ash

happy birthday blondie — send me your book wishlist so I can spoil you with smut

Robbie

Can you not talk about smut and my sister in the same sentence, please?

Ash

hey, it’s not my fault that’s all she reads…

Eli

I second the wishlist, though not for the smut reasons. Happy birthday!

Alice

Haha. Let’s put a pin in the wishlist, I need to update it after Robbie takes me to the bookstore tonight as he promised :)

Jordan

Happy birthday!

Alice

Thank you :)

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