Page 32 of Breaking Away

Just get in the car.

Finally leaving the bathroom, I tell my mom I’m not flying with her. She’s confused and asking questions, but also freaking out because her ride to the airport is here.

“Mom.” I grip her shoulders softly. “You can either go home to Seattle, or stick with me as I figure this out.”

She leaves for Seattle. My dad expects her home tonight.

I don’t have time to question how that makes my heart curl like paper put to heat, so I don’t. Five minutes later, I go downstairs and meet a man in a suit waiting to pick me up.

“Kavi Basra?” he asks. “For Mr. Lokhov?”

I stumble, but catch my balance in time. This is really happening.

I face the driver. “No, I’m notforhim, sir, as much as this is a mutually beneficial arrangement where we pretend to be seen on each other’s arms for one game so he can piss off my fiancé—er,ex-fiancé. As for what I get, I’ve clearly lost my mind andam operating from a place of rage, hurt, and confusion, proving a point I’m still struggling to understand myself.”

He blinks at me. “But are you Kavi Basra?”

“Oh. Yes. I am. You’ve got the right person.”

He nods politely, before settling my stuff and me in his backseat on very soft, expensive leather seats. Before I can continue overthinking, I’m whisked to the airport.

When my phone buzzes again, thinking it might be Lokhov (realizing what a mistake this is and taking it back, maybe?), I look at the notification.

DAD:

Your mom said you aren’t coming home.

Instant stress. The kind you taste on your tongue.

Trying to be strong, I message assertively.

ME

I have other plans.

DAD:

What other plans could you have?

All of a sudden, the whole situation hits me. I’m close to crying again, but I stop the urge by pinching my thigh.This isn’t a betrayal,I think to myself. If anyone should be hurt, it’s me.

Since the open-relationship-fiasco-where-my-ex-fiancé-may-or-may-not-be-poking-his-dick-into-places-it-doesn’t-belong-and-has-probably-called-me-fat-more-than-once incident, there’s been so much incredulity every time I’ve disobeyed expectations.

Tyler was flabbergasted that I’ve been ghosting his calls. My dad is disappointed and expects me to behave better forhissake.My mother is confused that I don’t want to fly home with her or give in to whatever spectacular gesture Tyler planned for me.

And now this question from my dad:What other plans could I have?

It devastates me.

I’ve been called a loser in high school before. The not-so-smart coach’s daughter who buries her nose into sketchbooks. I’ve had people tell me I’m so lucky after Tyler asked me out. It’s actually what most people say. That I’m blessed. Very fortunate. I’m going to have the best life.

But now that I’m trying to push him out of my life, I get reactions of confusion. Everyone is wondering what other life there is for me. What other plans?

I don’t know the answer to that. I know I don’twantto go back to being called a loser.

There has to be something else out there. Something I can achieve for myself.

Kavi Basra is….

---