“Oh. Okay. As long as you know.”
“Does Link know?”
“About us?”
“Yeah. If he’s going to kill me, I’d at least like a head’s up.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Thank you.”
“Right. Well, that’s all I wanted to say.” On the outside, I try to keep a brave face, but on the inside, I’m dying. All I want is to fall into his arms and go back to the way we were, but I can’t forgive, and I can’t forget.
“Aren’t you going to ask?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“What I plan to do about Sabrina?”
“That’s none of my business.”
He stares at me for a long moment before pushing a hand through his hair. “Can we talk somewhere? Preferably not in front of the gate or your uncle?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” My voice cracks and I nearly burst into tears. I want to say yes, but I can’t give in. I can’t get sucked back in.
“I just want to talk. You can drive. We’ll go somewhere public. I miss you.”
“I miss you too, but I can’t. I need time.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re two minutes are up,” Link grumbles, interrupting our conversation.
“I said all I need to. Thank you.”
Link grunts and Jimmy stares at his shoes.
The second I walk away, I hear him grilling Jimmy, demanding to know why I needed to talk to him. I climb back in my car and lay my head back. I close my eyes and exhale. Itwas easier than I thought it would be––walking away from him a second time.
I drive around town aimlessly. I’m not ready to go home and have nowhere to go. I text my sister, but she’s at work and I’m not in the headspace to deal with the mall.
My mom and Prodigy took Kieleigh to watch a movie with another couple and their kids who are around the same age as her. I could have tagged along but would have felt out of place.
Eventually, I make my way home.
Fireball is sprawled across my bed, her furry body taking up far more space than it should. Her tail thumps against the comforter as she lifts her head to look at me, tawny eyes happy to see me.
“Hey girl,” I whisper, scratching her behind the ears. She purrs softly, nudging her head into my palm. “At least I’ve got you, huh?” I flop down next to her on the bed, scooping her into the crook of my arm to cuddle. She tolerates it for about one minute before she’s squirming and hiking her butt in the air to get away.
I pull out my phone and debate on unblocking Jimmy. Is he confronting Sabrina right now? Will he forgive her? Are they even together still? All questions I wanted to ask but couldn’t bring myself to vocalize when given the chance.
I need a clean break.
A new start.
I scroll down my contacts and hit call on Sam’s name. “Hey. Do you still need a roommate?”