Page 56 of Your Biggest Downfall
Luna stared. “He’s standing awkwardly with his hands in the front pockets of his jeans, waiting.”
I closed my eyes. I wanted to cry. Crying had become cathartic for me, but not in a restaurant. I didn’t want to have some sort of emotional release inside a freaking public establishment, and I couldn’t run home because then, for sure, I’d fall apart.
“I was going to eventually see him at work.”
“Has he contacted you?” Luna slid her gaze to me.
I couldn’t lie to her. Luna was my best friend, more my sister than anything else. She’d never asked me this until now because we never talked about it.
I slowly nodded. “Yes,” I squeaked out.
“What did he say?” Her voice was calm, but there was a firmness behind it.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I?—”
“Stop.” She held up her hand. “Please stop. I am not here to judge you. I never am. You opened up with him in a way you never did with me. You let him take you out. You’re a different person today because of him.”
My foot shook frantically.
Her eyes softened. “Maybe both of these were a learning lesson. You’re both young and dumb, and maybe this is what you needed to have reality slap you in the face.”
I nodded. “He wrote me a letter,” I responded quietly. “He told me he was going to do better for me, for his family, and for the team. He was committed and thanked me for pushing him to go.”
Luna nodded a few times, seemingly digesting this new information. “Did he say he was going to do it for himself too? Did he tell you he wanted to get better to save his career, be a better friend to you, and whatnot?”
I didn’t know why she was pushing this issue so hard. I’d read the letter so many times over again. He signed it with love. Of course he was doing this because he wanted to get better.
“Yes. Obviously,” I rushed out.
“Okay, because you know an addict won’t get better unless theywantto get better,” Luna said like I hadn’t been regularly attending the NA support group.
“Yes, Luna. I am aware of that.” I was getting annoyed. She didn’t know what she was talking about. He was in rehab for fuck’s sake, but I didn’t want to lash out at her. She was coming from a place of concern. “He’s doing it for himself, but the benefit of having his career and not letting it tank is also pretty fucking motivating.”
“How is that? His career and socials?” she asked.
I turned around and glanced out the window. He was still there, waiting. I still had time to decide if I wanted to meet him, to face whatever might come next.
“It’s good. The statement worked well,” I said, trying to focus on anything but the knot in my stomach. “Everyone’s moved on to the new Chicago baseball player whose wife cheated on him with his best friend.”
“Oh my god! I heard about that,” Luna exclaimed, her voice full of mock scandal. She then settled back into her seat. “I’m glad the statement worked. Iris may work you ragged, but she’s good at her job.”
“She is,” I agreed, my mind drifting back to the window.
“Go say hi, Nova,” Luna urged gently. “I’ve known you since you were a baby. I know you’re itching to see him.”
“I am,” I admitted, the truth slipping out before I could stop it.
“Go.” She encouraged me, her voice soft but firm. “I was trying to distract you by talking about work, but it’s not working,and I’m doing a shit job at it. I’ll cover the bill, and you can leave cash on the table this afternoon.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, hesitation creeping into my voice.
“Obviously.”
Without another word, I quickly got up from my chair and reached for Luna, pulling her into a tight hug. “Thank you,” I whispered, the words barely audible.
She wrapped her arms around my back, holding me close. “You’re my best friend. I hope you know I would do anything for you.”
I pulled away, offering her a tight-lipped smile before slinging my cross-body bag over my shoulder and heading for the door. Adrenaline coursed through me as I stepped outside, and there he was—still standing there, waiting for me.
