Page 29 of When You Had Me Adapting

“It happened once and I promise it’ll never happen again.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He shrugs. “I almost did a few times, but I was worried about how you’d react. I feel terrible. I don’t know the whole story, but I know she means a lot to you. If I had known who she was I would’ve never crossed that line. You have to know that. I would never jeopardize our friendship.”

“I know you wouldn’t.”

“If it makes you feel better it definitely wasn’t my best work. I mean shit, dude, she called me a mediocre lay. It obviously meant nothing and while I won’t deny that she’s attractive, there was no chemistry. We’re meant to be friends. Nothing more.”

“You’re sure?”

“Fucking swear it, dude.” There is a beat of silence as I consider what my best friend is saying. Tanner was there for me when he barely knew me. When Archie gave me his number I didn’t know what to expect. I had never lived with anyone before and honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. I was distraught about my mom when I moved in and Tanner forced me to talk about her. I don’t think I could have gotten through those first few months without him.

“I know it wasn’t intentional, so I can’t be mad at you. You didn’t know and I don’t own her. She was right the other night. She can sleep with whoever she pleases, even if that’s you. I have no right to be mad.”

“You believe me?”

“Yeah, I believe you.” His shoulders noticeably relax.

“Thank fuck,” he laughs. “I’ve been avoiding this conversation for days. You sure we’re cool?”

“Yeah, we’re cool. How could we not be? Her and I aren’t anything. Not even friends.”

His eyes roll at my statement and he takes a deep breath. Standing, he grabs his keys off the coffee table like he’s about to leave.

“Wait, where are you going?” I ask.

He freezes. “Taco Bell. I’m starving from stressing about this conversation, so now that we’re cool I’m gonna go grab dinner. Want something?”

“You don’t want to talk about Lacey saying I cheated on her?”

“Not really. I know you didn’t do it.”

“You do?”

“First of all you’re a good guy. Even younger and dumber you would not have it in him to cheat on a girl. Second, if you had, you would have told me and you said you didn’t know what happened.”

“You’ve been avoiding me for days and you knew I was telling the truth?”

“Dude, it’s obvious you still like her, maybe even love her and I was fucking terrified to face you after you found out I slept with her. I thought I was a dead man.” I’m not completely sure I believe what I’m hearing. I don’t respond to his accusation either.Is it obvious?

“But none of you will talk to me.”

“Oh that’s because everyone else believes you cheated,” he chuckles. “And they’re pissed you aren’t owning up to what they think you did.”

I run my hands down my face. “This is fucked, man.”

“Want to talk about it?” He sits back down with a huff. “I guess my Crunchwrap Supreme can wait,” he mumbles under his breath.

Not a day has gone by in the last ten years that I haven’t thought about the day Lacey ended things with me. You don’t get over heartbreak like that. At eighteen, I thought she was my future. Hell, at eight, I thought she was my forever and then it all came crashing down. I take a deep breath.

“The girls and I were neighbors and best friends growing up. Poppy was the sister I never had and Lacey, well, fuck, I was in love with her before I even knew what love was. The summer before my senior year and the girls’ junior year we finally stopped fucking around and admitted we were into one another.”

He nods and I take another deep breath.

“My senior year I got accepted for this year-long photography program in D.C. with this phenomenal photographer. The plan was for me to complete it and then come back and start college with the girls. About four months into the program, Lacey called and told me she felt like we wanted different things. I begged her to give us a chance and she was adamant things were over. I tried reaching out to Poppy, but she ignored all of my calls and instead texted me she was done with me too. Neither of them would talk to me.”

“She didn’t accuse you of cheating?”

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