Page 18 of Talk About… Rivalry

I peeked at my phone and nodded, mouth open but words not coming out.

Taylor: Hey sunshine, how is your night going?

It was a simple message, too. God, I felt like such a dork. This was ‘high school crush’ behavior, not grown-ass woman behavior.

“Text him back,” she demanded, eyes dancing with excitement again. I didn’t want to dim that light for a second time, or at least that’s what I told myself as I picked up my phone to message him back.

Sidney: Just watching a movie with my friend Grace. How is your night?

There, that was simple, easy, and I sounded normal. That was a win at least.

Taylor: Oh, what movie?

Sidney: Our favorite. The Princess Bride.

Taylor: Shut up. I love that movie.

“Oh, invite him over!” Grace said, snorting when I glared at her.

“No,” I grumbled, knowing damn well that would be awkward. Even if he was an omega, too.

Taylor: Leading up to my last heat, I had a movie marathon. It helped distract me while the suppressors worked their magic.

I had nothing to say to that. Suppressors were useless for someone without a normal heat. Which, he obviously didn’t know about me.

“Just tell him. If you’re right, then you won’t have to keep talking to him. If you’re wrong, he may just stick around,” Grace said. Her voice was gentle as she hedged around the topic that haunted me. She knew how it affected me and was just looking out for me, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Sidney: How is your night going?

Taylor: Better now. I like talking to you, sunshine

“Ugh, he even has a nickname for you,” she groaned longingly. “Girl, you’re crazy.”

Grace started the movie again. I hadn’t even realized she’d paused it during my inner crisis.

“I am, but I’d rather be crazy than heartbroken.”

Leo

“We did it, Grandpa Harvey,” I said to myself as I signed the final papers that I needed. This place was officially mine after years of saving up and hard work. I had an inheritance that I’d honestly rather not have, but it only covered a portion.

My grandfather and I were close. Even though I had great parents, there was just something about him that made himmy person.

He would spend countless nights telling me stories about his life and his travels, and he always talked about this one speakeasy that he went to. It was in this little old town, nestled between some of the bigger cities in New York.

He hated everything about the city, so I wasn’t surprised he found some way to avoid it.

That little place won him over and by default, me as well. He’d show me the pictures and talk about how he always wanted to open up his own. Maybe it was odd to plan to open up a lounge with your grandson when he was barely in high school, but it had been my dream from that day going forward, too.

We always planned to match funds and go fifty-fifty. We’d open it together, making it everything he dreamt of.

Over the years we’d made business plans, sketches of the designs, and even a few mock menus.

But he died before we could make it happen.

If not for my best friend, Taylor, I wouldn’t have made it through the pain of his loss.

After that I drifted away from my family. Grandma would tell stories of him that would break my heart all over again and it was too much to handle.

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