Page 115 of Crashing into Love

“Selma, there’s nothing going on between Andy and me.”

“I know. It’s not like that. I just… I should be there. I’m your girlfriend. I should be there to take care of you when you’re hurt or sick, Drew.”

“We’re long-distance, so not much we can do about that right now.”

“Drew?”

“Yeah?”

“Are we okay?”

“I don’t know,” Drew replied honestly. “I think that’s up to you.”

“Why is it up to me?”

“Because I told you what I want, and you’re not there yet. I’m not going to pressure you to be ready for something you might not be.”

“I haven’t ever–”

“I know. I only meant that I’m going to give you time, Selma. If you need time to realize that I’m here, that I’m not going anywhere, and that I want you and Gia in my life, I’ll give that to you.”

“What does that look like for us? You, giving me time?”

“I don’t know. You have a Team Canada competition coming up, and you also have a lot going on. This injury is at the wrong time for me because they’re going to make cuts to the team soon, and I’ll find out if I’m cut or still on Team USA. You’ll have the same thing going on there. Maybe we just take a break from this for a minute until some things calm down for you.”

“You… want to take a break?”

“No, I want you, Selma. But I need us both to want the same things. Maybe you take this time and realize you don’t want what I want. I hope that’s not true, but if it’s what you need, I’ll give you time.”

“So, we what? We don’t talk or something?”

“We can still talk. I don’t want to not talk to you. And I don’t want to break up, either. I don’t want anyone else. I’m suggesting that you focus on figuring out what it is that you want. That’s all. Then, we really talk, and we see if we want the same things.”

“I… want you.”

“I want you, too,” Drew said. “But I don’t only want to be the woman you visit and share romantic hotel rooms with once a month. I want to be the woman you’re really with, Selma.”

“Okay. I get it. I understand what you’re saying, I mean,” Selma replied.

“Then, I should let you go so you and Gia can have your time together.”

“When will we talk again, Drew?”

“Whenever you want. I mean that, Selma – whenever you want.”

CHAPTER 34

“Mom, when can I talk to Drew?” Gia asked for at least the third time in as many weeks. “I want to tell her about the book. It’s so cool, what she got me.”

“I know, honey. Drew is busy, though. I’ll ask her when I talk to her next, okay?”

“Okay. Does she not like me anymore?”

“What? No, of course, she likes you. Why would you ask that?”

“Because she can’t ever talk to me. I know she’s busy, like you. I just thought we were friends.”

“You are friends, Gia. But Drew is a grown-up, and she is busy like me right now. I’ll ask her to call you when I talk to her next, okay? I’ll tell her that you really miss her.”

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