Page 114 of Rule 3: Never Fake Marry the Coach's Son
I’m going to fight for Dmitri, fight for us. I’m going to give him options and not assume.
I grab my things, then rush upstairs, because there’s something in my documents I need.
“Oskar!” Pappa shouts after me. “You’re not going to do anything silly?”
“No. Not silly at all.” My heart swells. I’m going to be brave.
All my life I’ve told myself that I’m shy. I’ve let other people be brave for me.
If I don’t offer him this option, I’ll always wonder. And maybe...my heart expands. Maybe it will work.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Dmitri
I’m not sad. I had a great time in the US. The best time.
I reach my gate. I wish that I had told Oskar to join me after all. But we said our goodbyes already, and I don’t want to get on a plane to Moscow crying. I don’t know if the media will be there to see me, but I just can’t have that happen.
My phone buzzes.
OSKAR: Are you through security yet?
DMITRI: At my gate. I miss you already.
OSKAR: I miss you already too.
My heart patters and I stare at my phone and the abundance of emojis he just entered.
We were friends first and we’ll still be friends. It’s not the relationship I want with him. At some point he’s going to tell me he met someone, and I’ll say I’ll be happy, and perhaps I really will be. I’ll want the best for Oskar.
My heart aches. It’s not the US I’ll miss the most. It’s Oskar.
Maybe it was always him.
I dart my gaze around the waiting area for the gate. Couples sit beside each other. How have I never noticed how many people go through life in pairs?
I call Oskar.
“Dmitri?” He answers on my first ring.
My heart thuds. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Oh.” I hear the smile in his voice. “I like hearing your voice too.”
Something about the call feels strange, though. His words seem to be coming out in small pants.
I frown. “Are you exercising?”
He giggles. “Sort...of.”
I think I hear people around him too.
And that’s good... I didn’t want to say goodbye to him at the airport because I thought I might start bawling or something in public, and he decides to go to the gym instead.
“Um exercise is important,” I say. “So that’s good.”
Maybe he can hear the sadness and confusion in my tone.
