Page 34 of Four Simple Rules
My eyes fall to the table. "I get it, Tulip. You've built a whole life somewhere else doing something great."
Even as I say the words, I know they're the truth. Blake left because of what I said. Or maybe that was the tipping point. For years she was made to believe she was unwanted, so why would she want to hang around and see people she despised?
"I have. But so have you. You got away, too, Jesse," she murmurs, reaching across the table to take my trembling hand. "You achieved your dreams, even if it wasn't in your plans."
Warmth spreads across my chest. "Thank you," I rasp, gently squeezing her hand.
The all too familiar feelings I used to get around Blake creep back through me, taking me back to when we were kids and she'd hold my hand when she was scared. Or when I crawled through her window, aching to hold her in my arms. I don't know why I was so afraid to admit to her how I felt. It's something that haunts me to this day. I was a fucking idiot back then—a stupid teenager. But no more.
Blake's face falls as her eyes watch something approaching behind me. I assume it's Ralph coming to take our order. It isn't until the tale-tell sign of heels clicking along the flooring, do I register who it could be. A horrid blast from our past. Someone I know Blake hates and never wants to see again. Especially after the mean tricks they played on Olivia, her best friend. Mentally, I pray to the ceiling, begging it to be some suburban mom dressed in her best attire, coming for breakfast. But when did I get lucky enough for that?
Dread settles in my stomach, forcing a small groan up my throat. This is the last thing I need to happen, especially with Blake within reach of me. Blake stiffens, completely shutting down before my eyes. It's the same look that haunted me for so many years.
I grit my teeth when a hand runs along my shoulder, digging their sharp nails into my flesh. I shudder in disgust, attempting to shake her off. I swear, every time I sneak into town, she’s right there, waiting to swoop in and offer herself to me, just like in high school.
"Jesse Rutherford! Oh my God!" Her shrill voice fills the entire diner, drawing every eye toward us.
I wince when her hand touches my shoulder again, and I pull away, removing her from touching me. Utter disgust fills every molecule in my body when my head turns, and I take her in. She’s the same person she was ten years ago. It seems like nothing has changed. Dressed in a tight red cocktail dress with matching high heels, elongating her legs, she grins at me with matching red lips. It’s like she’s out on the town for a night instead of a nice early morning breakfast.
"Natalie," I say, wrinkling my nose in disgust like I've smelled something awful.
"I can't believe it's you!" She giggles obnoxiously. "I haven't seen you since…"
"Graduation," I fill in the blank for her with a bored expression.
Although I have seen her in passing around town while shopping or going out, we haven’t really connected. A hi here and there, but that’s it. I’d much rather erase her existence from my memory and forget her name than continue this shit.
There hasn't been a time between then and now that I've missed or thought about her. She scuttled away from Brighton when I got shot, showing her true self and motivations. No calls. No texts. No visits. She didn't fucking care about me then, so why is she here now pretending we’re best friends? My guess? It’s all a show for the pretty girl sitting across from me.
“Oh, it’s only been a few months,” another voice pipes up from behind us, stepping forward and revealing herself.
“We just saw you like last week, Jesse. Don’t be silly,” Melody says with a grin, looking equally as dressed up as Nat.
Yeah, here, when I had breakfast with my mom last Sunday night. The same day she told me she had finally eloped. We celebrated privately with peach pie and a long talk. Posey, Nat, and Melody just happened to be here after a rough night out in town, coming by for three cups of coffee. The most words we spoke to each other were hi and goodbye.
My eyes dart to Blake in a panic. If she thinks I’m still hanging out with these bitches, she’ll march out of here and never speak to me again. We were making such good progress, too. Blake’s jaw tightens when Posey and Melody stand behind Nat, their eyes zeroing in on Blake like the damn predators they are—the three mean girls from our high school who orchestrated every prank under the sun. And I followed along like a lost puppy, desperate to be cool.
"And who's your friend?" Posey asks with a smirk, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder.
I'd say time has been good to the mean girls of Brighton High, but that'd make me a liar. Just like their evil pranks and horrible attitudes, time hasn't been nice to them. Maybe it's karma for their shitty ways.
"I'm Blake," Blake says without hesitation, narrowing her eyes at the girls. No fear shows through her face as she lifts her chin, defiantly meeting their gazes.
The old Blake would cower and run away. The new Blake sends blood straight to my dick. Maybe our separation was necessary? Or perhaps I’m justifying my actions. Either way, Blake needed to venture out and tackle life head-on without any safety nets. And me? Well, I needed to sort my insecurities out, among other things.
"Isn't that a boy's name?" Melody snarks, giggling when Posey high-fives her.
What are we in high school? This is ridiculous. All I wanted was a nice breakfast with my girl; now, they’re ruining it with their salty behavior.
I blow out a breath of disgust, shaking my head. "If you guys don't mind, Blake and I are having breakfast." I raise a hand waving Ralph over, practically begging with my eyes to break up this mean girl reunion and get Blake away from them.
"Are you coming to the reunion?" Posey asks, leaning over slightly to give me a peek at her cleavage.
I recoil in disgust, shaking my head. "Only if Blake is going with me."
Blake sucks in a breath, staring at me like I'm crazy.
"Wait! Isn't she that one girl's friend? Oh my God! The girl we shoved Twinkies in her locker." Morgan cackles along with the others.
