Page 111 of How to Get Revenge on a Cheating Ex
“So, who does that make you?” I ask.
Janie shrugs. “Oh, I’m Penny all the way. Sexy, badass, and mysterious, with all kinds of scandalous secrets...” She wiggles her fingers in our direction. “And way too cool for both of you kids.”
I snort. We’re both older than her. But even so...she kinda has a point. She is no doubt way cooler than me, but I’ll never tell her so. It’s my sisterly duty to keep her ego in check whenever possible.
But I will admit, if only to myself, Janie has zero effs to give when it comes to what people think or say about her, and while I’m gettingbetterabout not caring—I’m not there yet.
I’ve been making such good progress, but tonight, with Zack, I took the old-Bailey way out. Yes, he’d been a dick, but I should’ve given Zack hell right then and there. I should’ve told him…
What? My mind goes blank for a second. I have no idea what I should’ve said.
I wince. No. That’s a lie. I’m totally lying to myself in a way I haven’t done in weeks. Emotions I’ve been trying to buryever since we got home tonight are right there, just beneath the surface.
My hands are shaking when I look down at them.
I knowexactlywhat I should have said. I was just too scared to put myself out there. I was too afraid of rejection, afraid that I’d look in his eyes and see pity, or something even worse.
I’d been a freakin’ coward.
“Shit.” The word slips out on a harsh whisper. and I look up to see Toni and Janie staring at me with wide eyes.
“I will say this,” Janie says slowly. “Hanging out with Zack so much has done wonders for your vocabulary.”
Toni snorts with amusement.
Even I manage a small smile. “He’s done more than just expand my vocabulary.”
Janie’s eye roll conveys ‘well, duh’ and Toni outright says it. “Of course he has, Bailey. Anyone can see that you two have been good for each other.”
I look down at my hands again. They’re still shaking, but I can’t say if it’s from fear or sadness.
I know heartache is waiting. It’ll come barreling down on me with full, heart-crushing strength just as soon as I resign myself to the fact that this thing between us is over.
But I don’t want it to be over. I’m not ready to give up on us, even if he is.
“I need to talk to him,” I say suddenly.
“Yesss,” Janie moans. “I’m so glad you figured that out on your own.” She looks at Toni with a fake pout. “Our little baby girl is growing up.”
Toni laughs.
“You guys, I’m serious.” I stand up and all the blood seems to rush from my head.
I feel faint. Is it normal to feel faint when one confronts a guy she’s pretty sure she’s in love with?
Oh crap. A cold sweat breaks out on my brow at the L-word.
I don’tlovehim...do I?
Oh crap, I think I might. I press a hand to my forehead. It’s time to be brave, and admit it.
I, Bailey Tucker, am head-over-heels crazy in love with Zack Myers.
A weird wheezing noise escapes from my lungs. It’s terror, and excitement, and panic, and…terror.
Did I say terror already?
I look from Janie to Toni, and then back again. “I don’t know how to tell him.”
