Page 123 of Going All In

Even after her brother had texted her to see if she was going to the game tonight because Jake had given Charles and their father his tickets to the game. Even after everything she’d done, Jake had still given those tickets to her family. She’d said she was busy with school and wouldn’t be able to make it to the game.

Charles had given her grief, but it couldn’t top the self-pity she was already consumed with.

Jake was it for her. She was being an idiot and digging her feet in instead of admitting the truth.

She couldn’t keep going like this. Yes, she was getting her work done, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She was still sleeping in the half dozen shirts she’d snagged from his dresser.

She’d started so many texts about his games or random things she thought he’d find funny, but she deleted every one of them before hitting send.

“Fine. I’ve made a mess of everything and I don’t know how to fix it.”

“You talk to him. Show up tonight. Maybe take a shower before you leave this apartment.”

“Hey. I’ve showered,” she said, then leaned down to subtly try and sniff herself. Okay, not the freshest, but she was in final project mode and it was the weekend, so she didn’t have classes or any excuse to leave the apartment.

There was a knock on the door.

“Oh my god, you didn’t invite him over, did you?” Darcy asked, panic welling up in her chest.

“Of course not,” Ally said, walking over to open the door. “He’s already at the arena, anyway. I promise I didn’t invite anyone over. Oh, hi, Mrs. Collins.”

Darcy sat up on the couch. “Mom. What are you doing here?” she asked as her mother walked into the room.

“Checking on you. What is going on? When was the last time you showered?”

“Seriously? I don’t look that bad. It’s only been three days,” she muttered.

“Why aren’t you getting ready for the game? It’s game six. That’s super important, right? At least that’s what your brother and father said before they headed out tonight.”

“Yeah, Darcy, why aren’t you going to the game?” Ally asked, her hands on her hips, clearly not leaving Darcy to talk to her mom alone.

Her mother took the seat next to Darcy on the couch, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Darcy’s ear.

“What’s going on?”

“We broke up,” Darcy said, turning toward her mother.

“Oh, why? You two were perfect for each other. Jake is so wonderful, and you were both so happy.”

“It wasn’t going to work out.”

“Oh please. You two were meant for each other. Is this because of school? You’re letting it get in the way of your happiness.”

She tried to bite back her frustration, but it tumbled out. “Mom. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you how important my degree is to me. How important my future career is to me. Jake and I weren’t really dating.”

“What?” her mother asked. Darcy caught Ally’s wide eyes before her roommate made some lame excuse and headed to her room.

Darcy sighed. “It was fake. He needed to date a good girl to help his career, and I needed to be able to focus on school. It made sense for both of us.”

Her mother sat back, her cheeks red, and Darcy hated that she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

“You fake dated so I wouldn’t try to keep setting you up. Is that it? Darcy, I just want you to be happy. Like I am—”

“With Dad. I know. But I’m only twenty-four, and I needed to focus on getting my master’s.”

“I can’t believe you would deceive me. Your family.” She paused, shaking her head, and Darcy caught the shine of tears in her mother’s eyes.

“I’m so sorry, Mom.”

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