Page 34 of XOXO, Daddy
“Because what, Mama?”
“Because it’s easier to run away and be alone, rather than to actually fix the mess you’re in.” Raising one perfectly sculpted brow, she leveled me with a look. She knew me. Too well, it seemed.
“I am not trying to run away.”
“Aren’t you?”
“No, I—”
“Willow, if I know you at all, you won’t actually end things with this boy. You’ll just run away and … what’s the phrase kids use these days? Spooking? No… ghosting! You’ll end up ghosting this poor boy.” I had half a mind to correct her. Adam was no boy, but I had no desire to divulge that tidbit about my situation.
“You might be right,” I answered shamefully. Shewasright. That had been my exact plan, in truth. But I needed to be honest with Adam and tell him about my worries with Alyssa. I needed to tell him my concerns about our relationship. Sure, we were still in the early days, but if I wanted to have more than just the early days with Adam, I would need to be honest.
But that didn’t mean I was ready to face Adam, or Alyssa. Not yet.
“It’s time to grow up, sweetheart. And I mean that with all the love in my heart. You need to talk to him. Talk to your friend. Be honest, and fix your relationships. It’s the only way you’ll feel better.” Sliding her hand across the kitchen table, she wrapped her fingers around mine with a gentle squeeze of comfort and compassion.
“Alright, Mama. I will.”
And I would.
Just not yet. I needed some time to think first.
Chapter Seventeen
The urge tothrow my phone against the wall was nearly overpowering. Alyssa had been texting me nearly constantly for the last two hours. Apparently, she was done waiting on me to — and I quote — get my head out of my ass, and had decided to take matters into her own hands.
I know you were in a mood yesterday, but you need to talk to me.
Seriously, this is not how friends treat each other, Willow. Please, just talk to me.
Okay, I get that you’re probably still angry about whatever, but don’t ignore my texts.
You know I can see that you’ve read these, right? Your read receipts is on.
I just want to clear the air.
Fine, if you want to be a baby about it and not talk to your best friend, then fine. I’ll be here when you’re ready to talk.
I rolled my eyes, scrolling over her past messages, but still could not bring myself to respond. I didn’t know what to say.
Sorry for being a jerk, but your dad fucked me ten ways to next Tuesday, and I don’t know how to talk to you about it…
Yeah, something told me that wouldn’t go over very well. I wanted so badly to tell her the truth, but it wouldn’t just ruin my friendship with her. It could ruin my relationship with Adam. It could ruin things at work for me. I felt completely stuck.
Tears welled in my eyes, the heaviness of it all settling over me like the worst weighted blanket known to man. Dread, fear, and anxiety swirled together in my belly until I felt like I was either going to cry or throw up. Both seemed logical.
I tossed my phone down on the bed, the tears no longer staying put as they began to run down my face. As soon as it landed, it began to ring.
Oh, great! Now Alyssa wanted to call me?
Picking the phone back up, I was getting ready to hit the hang-up button when I sawDaddywritten across the phone. He was calling?
“Hello?” I asked quietly, wincing as I sniffled. He was bound to hear how much turmoil was in my tone, even if I was trying to hide it.
“Princess, what’s wrong?” As soon as that deep, handsome, and concerned voice reached my ears, the floodgates opened, and I began to cry. Not a pretty cry, either. No, this was a fetal position on the bed, wipe the snot off your face kind of crying.
“I… I….” I cried, unable to get the words out. I wanted to get away from all of these feelings, and I couldn’t. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see an easy way out of it all.
