Page 87 of Take Me
There’s a clang from the front of the brewery.I squint through the light washing in from the window, spotting a lone silhouette.Whoever she is must’ve been there a while, since I didn’t hear someone come in.I stare at the figure tucked into my most hidden booth.My eyes start to focus, and I notice her guilt-stricken expression.
Erika’s frozen in panic, her eyes filled with horror, her keys on the floor at her feet.“Shit.”She stands up so fast she knocks over a chair.Setting it upright, she picks up her keys and starts for the door.“I didn’t want to interrupt, so I sat down to wait.I left my Hydro Flask in your truck, but I can come back later?—”
“Erika, wait.”Dammit.
“No, no—it’s okay.”She fumbles her jacket, stuffing an arm through the hole.“Sounds like you guys have some stuff to discuss.”
“Oh my God.”Annabelle’s on her feet now, looking like someone ran over her cat.“Erika, I’m so sorry.I feel absolutely horrib?—”
“Don’t.”She backs toward the door, clenching her keys in a fist.“It’s not a big deal.I’ll see Mason at home and—” She falters, her gaze darting back to mine.“Or not.I—you—we’ll catch up later, okay?”
“Erika, don’t go.”
But she’s already gone, hair flying behind her as she sprints through the rain to her truck.
Goddammit.
My manager doesn’t clockin until four, so I’m stuck at the bar for ninety long minutes while Annabelle gushes apologies.
“I’m so sorry, Mason.”Tears stream down her cheeks as I type out my ten millionth text to Erika.“I shouldn’t have said all that.I’m a horrible friend and a terrible person.”
“It’s okay.”I should probably say she’s not awful.“We all say stupid shit when we’re hurt and confused.”
“Please tell her—” She squeezes her eyes shut, cursing.“Never mind.I’m sure she won’t want to hear from me.I just told her boyfriend that I love him?—”
“You did?”I look up, confused.I might’ve missed that part.
“Not in so many words.”She winces and stands up to gather her things.“I’m sorry.I’ll get out of your hair now.”
“Wait.”I need to make one thing clear.“I thought I loved you for a long time, Annabelle.You were my dream girl, you know?”
Her watery eyes fill with hope.“I?—”
“No, wait.I’m not done.”God, this is hard.“You were right when you said love should feel easy and fun.But you also aren’t wrong about romance and passion and excitement.It’s not an either/or thing, you know?”
“I—” She stares like she’s shocked, like this never occurred to her before.
“I know,” I continue.“I thought it had to be fucking rainbows and daffodils and expensive dates.But love’s also playing together.It’s board games and tickling and sharing a pizza.It’s the freedom to be silly together.”
Tears fill her eyes, and she nods.“I’m sorry.For everything.”
“Me too.”
I type out another quick text to Erika.
Please answer.
I’m not getting back together with Annabelle.
Erika?Please reply.
When I look back at Annabelle, she’s standing there, waiting for something.Maybe wise words from me or a joke.Something to make this suck less.
“I’m not the right person for you.”I need to be perfectly clear.“I never was.I understand that now.And if you can’t laugh with Neil—if you can’t be the absolute truest version of you when you’re with him—then he’s not your person, either.”
Another tear rolls down her cheek.“I feel like an idiot.”
“At least you’re an idiot who gave me the best damn dog on the planet.”I step around the bar and pull her in for a hug.“You’ll be okay.You were brave enough to come in here and say what you said.That means you’re brave enough to do what you’ve gotta do with Neil.”
