Page 51 of Sweet Hate
I’m not gonna answer that.
Axel
I dare you to answer that.
Me
Are you replacing the dare? Pleaseconfirm.
Axel
Yes.
Biting my lip, I stare at my phone for a second. Do I answer this honestly? I have to. Never once have I lied to win a dare.
Me
Then yes. Well, actually, I’m wearing panties. But there isn’t much of them to wear backwards.
Axel
Fuck.
Me
Sorry. I didn’t want to lie. Truth or dare?
Axel
Truth.
Me
Why did you never text me back after I left?
I’m taking a risk here, especially since it’s the first time we’ve had any semi normal conversation. But I can’t pretend that’s not the biggest truth I need.
The dots jump around again. Then stop. They start and stop four more times, but he doesn’t respond.
Trying to ignore my crushing disappointment at the game ending so abruptly, I put my phone face down on the nightstand and throw myself backwards.
It was stupid to push him that far so soon.
I might have burned the bridge before we even partially rebuilt it.
17
AXEL
Glaring at the coffee maker, I jam the button a few more times. Where is my coffee? Playing whack-a-mole with this piece of crap was not on my agenda for today.
While I wait, I stare down at her message, like I have the entire night. I lay awake, tossing and turning in the bunk room, typing and deleting over and over, trying like hell to answer her question without giving away too much and screwing up our tentative truce.
What was I supposed to say?
Sorry, Haven. I lied when I said nothing would change because the minute I kissed you, I realized I’d loved you all along and friendship wouldn’t be enough. Your leaving detonated my heart and brought me to my knees both metaphorically and physically. But don’t worry, it’s fine now. Let’s be friends.
As if.
