Page 11 of I Knew You
“Tomorrow. Thankfully, my insurance stays active for two weeks.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t even think about the insurance. You will have to find something new quickly. You have to have insurance.”
The health insurance was the first thing I’d thought of when I opened the company’s apology letter, and my mind hadn’t stopped turning since. It was essential for me. And if I did not find another job quickly, I could be in huge trouble.
Kallie’s phone rang in her pocket. She fished it out, looked down at the screen, and back up at me. She pushed the button on the side, declining the call.
“Was that Brandon?” I asked. “You should get it.”
“Yes, but I’m here with you.” She smiled, and my heart sank a little, although I didn’t let it show on my face. It had been hard to share my best friend with someonewe met less than a year ago at a random restaurant. Brandon was a good guy. I liked him. But I sometimes wished he didn’t exist, which wasn’t fair to him or Kallie. It wasn’t her fault that I didn’t have a significant other or a social life.
“That’s not going to work,” I said. “You cleaned the flour off you for a reason, so where are you guys going?”
She sighed, placing her cheek in her hand where it was propped up on the arm of the couch. “We were supposed to meet up with Eloise and Peter, and some of Brandon’s work friends at Portillo’s. I was going to ask you to come with us before all this happened. Eloise would love to see you, and the work friends are a bunch of guys, and?—”
My heart sank. Eloise and Peter had been good college friends of ours, and I hadn’t seen them in forever. However, I couldn’t wrap my mind around going out. “That’s sweet,” I cut in. “But it’s been a devastating day, and I have to pass.”
“I know, but I thought?—”
“But you need to go.”
She shook her head. “No, I need to be with you. I can’t leave you after the day you’ve had. What if your back messes up again?”
I watched her expression and knew she was being truthful, but I wouldn’t allow anyone I loved to sacrifice their time or attention on my behalf. I wasn’t that important. Even though Kallie loved me, she also loved Brandon. She shouldn’t have to choose.
“My back has been messed up since I was seventeen. This is nothing new. And do you think I want you to stay and wallow in self-pity with me? No thanks. I can sulk on my own,” I quipped. “I will turn on some sad Taylor Swift and eat more cake. I will even try to taste it this time around.”
She opened her mouth, and I guessed where she was going before she spoke.
“No more excuses.” Her mouth closed. “Go! Have fun onmy behalf. Give Eloise and Peter all my love. I want a nice night alone.” My tongue was thick with every lie I said, but I was a master at masking my true feelings. She stared at me, trying to decipher what I was hiding.
“Okay, fine. But I’m coming back once it’s over.” She slowly got to her feet, and I mirrored her.
“Don’t come all the way back here. Just call. I’ll probably be asleep anyway.”
I could tell she didn’t agree with anything I was saying, but she held her tongue.
“Are you going to tell Whit you lost your job?”
My insides froze at her pointed question, but I didn’t let it show.
“I’m not bothering him. I haven’t talked to him since he went to training camp.”
My older brother had been the starting quarterback for the Salt Lake Wolverines professional football team for the past thirteen years. He and I spoke, but we weren’t as close as we were when we were kids. I told myself it was because we lived so far apart, and his football career kept him busy. But I knew the real reasons, and they threatened to overwhelm me with memories, and I couldn’t let that happen. My day was shitty enough.
“You should tell him, but you already know that,” Kallie said as we approached the door.
I waved, shaking my head. “Plenty of time to discuss that later. Go.”
She hugged me again, causing my throat to clog with emotion. I did not want her to see it on my face, so I held onto the door as I playfully pushed her out.
“Okay, I’ll go. But I’m having Chinese food delivered. You can’t live off cake alone.”
I leaned against the doorframe. “You’re wrong, but I won’t pass up orange chicken.”
She turned and smiled back at me as she walked away. “Love you, bestie.”
“Love you too, Kal.”
