Page 58 of My Favorite Bad Decision
“Maren says you’re dating Cecilia Love,” I say, removing my hand.
He laughs, running his fingers through his hair. “And you thought your sister, who I haven’t spoken to in ten years, would have more up to date info thanyou, who just shared a tent with me for five nights?”
A smile starts to move my mouth upward. “Just because we’re sharing a tent doesn’t mean you’re telling me everything.”
His gaze falls to my lips. “True, but I’d have told you that one. I dated Cece for a month, tops, and it was over a year ago.”
I glance away so he won’t see how relieved I am. I have no business being relieved. We’re only going away as friends. Former tentmates. He’s sharing his tent and I’ll share my snacks. Nothing more.
My phone begins buzzing again. I reluctantly turn it over.
Mom
You can’t possibly be THAT sick, and if you miss my birthday, I’ll never forgive you.
Maren
Mom’s really pissed. You might want to come by for a few minutes.
Charlie
If a human head could explode, your mother’s would be exploding right now.
Dad
Get well soon, Kitty Cat.
Blake
Hey, I came to dinner to surprise you, but your mom is saying you’re sick. Just come out for a while. If you can climb Kilimanjaro, you can come to dinner for an hour.
I sigh and let my head fall back against the headrest. A part of me dreads ending things with him so greatly that I’m tempted to just…agree. Agree to marry him, have a big wedding, wait until he grows bored, and politely call it a day. “I really don’t know how to reply.”
“Kit,” Miller says, waiting for me to open my eyes and look at him. “If Maren was in your shoes, you’d snatch the phone out of her hand and type up a polite but firm response. Have your own back the way you’ve had everyone else’s for most of your life. Just do it.”
I guess he’s right. I pick up the phone, take a deep breath and begin to type.
Hey, look, I’m so sorry, but I don’t think this is working for me. It isn’t fair to you or me to keep pursuing something that doesn’t make either of us especially happy.
I hitsendbefore I can take it back. Holy shit. Ialreadycan’t believe I went through with it.
“Done,” I whisper.
“How do you feel?” he asks, his gaze gentle on my face.
I shake my head. There are so many emotions inside me right now I can’t begin to tease them apart. “A little relieved. A lot terrified. I think he’s going to be mad. He’s going to be really mad, and hurt, and probably lash out and say a lot of mean shit.”
He briefly squeezes my knee. “Take a minute to consider the fact that you were about to marry a man who lashes out at a person he theoretically loves when his feelings get hurt.”
My phone pings, and my stomach ties into a knot.
Blake:
Are you fucking kidding me? I came here to PROPOSE and you’re breaking up with me? JFC, you are such a waste of fucking time. Fuck you. Good luck finding anyone who will treat you half as well as me, Kit.
Good luck finding anyone who will put up with your bullshit.
You know my entire family is here, and so is yours? I assume you just met someone else on your fucking climb. Apple doesn’t fall far from the whore tree, does it? You’re even worse than your mom.
