Page 71 of Bad Crush
“We did. We drove up to your mom’s house for the weekend.”
My mom’s house. The phrase forms a pit in my stomach. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to them living apart.
“Ah. Ginny’s been saying she wanted to go back.” I know it’s as weird for Ginny as it is for me to be there now that our dad’s moved out, so I’m glad she has her friends with her. “What are you girls going to get up to there?”
“Wine, sappy movies, junk food—the usual.”
“Sexting your boyfriend?” I ask hopefully.
She hums. “Maybe. First, I’m going to snoop around your childhood room and look for dirt.”
“Good luck. Hasn’t been a girl in that room in a long time.”
“It’s pretty boring in here. Not a single picture of an ex in sight.”
I picture her walking around my old room, which leads to picturing her in my bed.
“Probably shoved in a drawer somewhere.”
“I haven’t gotten to the drawers yet,” she says. “Ginny’s yelling for me. I better go. How long will you be up? Can I drunk text you later?”
“You can always drunk text. I’m hoping Carrie will be gone soon, and I can go back to my room, but I’ll be up for a few hours.”
“You don’t think she’ll stay the night?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. How long does it take to tell her it’s over?”
“You really dislike her, huh?”
“I just don’t think she’s good for him, and I think he’s kidding himself that talking to her in person is going to give him closure. She wants him back, and she knows that in person, she’s far more persuasive. He never should have agreed to it.”
“Actually, that might be my fault,” Reagan says.
“Yours. How?”
“A while back, we were talking about the breakup. He sounded really upset, and I told him I thought seeing her could help.”
“It won’t help.” The words come out harsher than I intend. “He’s only ever dated her. He needs to move on, date other people. That will give him closure.”
“He was with her for a really long time, Adam.”
“Yeah, exactly. He has no idea what a good relationship is.”
“And you do?” She gasps as if she can’t believe she said it out loud. The line goes quiet. “I’m so sorry.” Reagan’s voice is small when she finally speaks again. “I didn’t mean that.”
“No, you’re probably right. What do I know about a successful relationship? I haven’t dated anyone more than a few months at a time. And all of those failed spectacularly.”
“Adam, I’m so sorry,” she says again.
I believe her, but I don’t think it’s an accident she said it. She’s obviously been thinking about how I’ve blown up all my previous relationships. I can’t blame her, but it still stings.
“Have fun with the girls. I gotta go.” I press end and stare straight ahead.
“Yo, Scott,” Mav calls from across the room. “You want in this game?”
I put my phone in my pocket and join them.
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