Page 53 of Come Break My Heart Again

“What’s funny?” I say to lighten the mood, but I doubt Pres is smiling.

“I—you didn’t even mention it, Elle.”

“Keira’s parents have a place out here. It was just a last-minute girls’ trip. I needed a break from stuffing my brain with UCC rules.”

“I’m not mad. Just … surprised. Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

“We didn’t have plans this weekend.”

Prescott scoffs. “I haven’t seen you all week. You didn’t think I might want to spend time with you this weekend?”

“I’m not a mind reader.”

He blows out a breath. “Wow.”

I rub my forehead. “I’m sorry, okay? I just needed a …”

“Break. Yeah, you said. Except we haven’t seen each other since last weekend, so I’m not sure what you need a break from.”

“Pres …” I wait for him to fill the silence with something, but he doesn’t. So my voice just trails awkwardly, highlighting how one-sided our relationship has become.

I noticed Prescott was the more invested one of us a long time ago. I think he’s just starting to.

“Take your break, Elle. We’ll talk when you get back.”

“Okay. Tell Jenny happy birth?—”

He hangs up on me mid-word.

I toss my phone away, still staring up at the ceiling. My boyfriend of six months basically just broke up with me. I should be sad or angry or hurt. Instead, I’m an empty shell. A hollow husk.

Scout whines, so I slide off the edge of the bed to sit on the floor with him. I have a partial view of the ocean as I stroke his soft fur.

Streaks of pastel color are spreading across the horizon, orange and pink and purple. It’s stunning. I stare, transfixed, trying to remember the last time I sat and watched a sunset. I can’t come up with an answer.

“Elle?” There’s a soft tap on the door.

Scout leaps to his feet, barking once. I’m slower to rise.

“It’s okay,” I tell Scout, tossing a treat toward his crate before hobbling toward the door. My feet fell asleep a while ago.

“Hey.” Keira studies me closely once I open the door. The light is on in the hallway, emphasizing how dark my room has become. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. I was just … resting.”

“Time to perk up, girl. I haven’t seen you in weeks, you just kicked Harvard Law’s ass, and Juliet already raided the fully stocked liquor cabinet. Do you have a drink request?”

I shake my head, smiling. “I’m good with whatever. Just let me feed Scout, and then I’ll be down.”

“Okay. Sushi should be here any minute.”

“I thought we were grilling?”

“Yeah … it turns out, I don’t really know how to work the grill. And I also didn’t feel like cooking.”

I laugh. “Okay.”

After feeding Scout, I decide to change. Keira was wearing sweats and a tank top, so the evening’s vibe seems casual.

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