Page 103 of Bad Crush
“No. Dakota made it clear she didn’t want to talk to me.”
“Made it clear that Reagan didn’t want to talk to you or thatshedidn’t want you to?”
I shrug. “Kind of the same thing.”
“What happened?”
“Do we have to talk about this now?” I rub at the ache in my chest.
“You love her. I know that you do. Whatever happened, don’t give up so easily.”
“She ended things with me, so maybe you should be having this conversation with her.”
“Oh, I will, but something tells me that Reagan isn’t going to be the one to make a move here. It’s up to you.”
“Up to me to what? Beg her to feel something for me that she obviously doesn’t? To trust me?” The things she said, the way she looked at me… I get that she was hurting, but she took all the things I told her I didn’t want to be and tossed them in my face. “Maybe she’s right. Reagan’s been through some shit. We are her family. You and Dakota especially. I don’t want to fuck that up for her.”
“You keep saying that this time things are different, but from everything I’ve seen, you’re doing exactly what you always do.” Ginny stands. “You want to prove she’s different, now is your chance.”
30
Reagan
It’s a new day, Cancer. Dab on a little eye cream and pack your brass knuckles. It’s an anything goes type of day.
Dakota and Ginnyare in the living room when I force myself out of bed Saturday.
“’Morning,” I say.
“I think you mean afternoon.” Dakota smiles sadly and holds out her arms for me to go to her, which I do happily. I sink down on the couch beside her, and she wraps me in her arms. Ginny joins us and hugs me from the other side.
“Feeling any better?” Dakota asks, still hugging me tightly against her.
“A little.” I pat the bags under my eyes. The sensitive skin hurts to touch. After the game, Dakota came home and sat beside me while I blubbered for the better part of the night. Nonsensical ranting and crying.
“I brought you an iced coffee.” Ginny holds out the large cup to me.
“Thank you.” I set it on the coffee table.
“Has he called?” she asks.
“No.”
“I saw him last night after he got home from the bar. He was in rough shape.” She glances at Dakota.
I want to ask more about what that means, press her for anything he might have said. But I don’t deserve to know.
“Whatever happened, you two can get through this,” Ginny pleads. “I’ve never seen either of you so happy.”
“We can’t. We won’t. It’s over.” My heart breaks a little more, saying it out loud. “And it’s probably for the best.”
“I refuse to believe that,” Ginny says. “Kota?”
My roommate shrugs. “I don’t know.”
“Well, I do,” I say. “You guys weren’t there. It was awful. We’re not coming back from that.”
“People fight. Adam’s crazy about you.” Ginny’s optimism makes my chest ache.
