Page 54 of Perfect Pact

“I knew this would happen. I toldyouI couldn’t go on a date with you, and you kept pushing until I had no choice.”

“Beth…” Dusty whispers, “you always had a choice.”

“I didn’t. Not really.” The tears start falling. He’s right. The heart wants what it wants. Right now, mine is telling me to stay, but my head is saying go. “Just let me go.”

“I don’t want to.” He looks worried, sad…anything but angry. Doesn’t he understand?

“I can’t do this.”

“You can,” he begs. “Let’s talk about it.”

“Thank you for everything, Dusty. I really appreciate it, but I can only be friends. If this means I can’t use the driveway, I understand.”

“What are you even talking about right now?” He raises his voice, giving away the hurt. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“It does.” I hold up the phone and point to the picture. “This shouldn’t have happened. I dragged you into this because I was selfish. You had something I wanted, so I took it. All so I could use a driveaway.”

We stand face to face, heart to heart, words I don’t mean floating between us, wrapping around our throats, choking us out. I can make my escape and save us both the heartache and embarrassment sure to come if this continues any longer.

“Don’t be ridiculous. It was never about the driveway. Not for me anyway.”

“It was for me,” I lie, then turn and walk out the door.

“I don’t believe you,” Dusty calls after me, and my heart breaks.

I don’t either.

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