Page 16 of We Can't Be Friends

“A. Couple. Hours.” I enunciate each word. “I have to go check on Emme.”

“Youhaveto? You don’t have to do anything,” he combats me.

Seth wouldn’t understand; apparently, he only cares about himself.

On the other hand, If I don’t go it’ll eat me alive.

“She’s my best friend! Something happened and I need to take care of it.”

“But what about me? I see where I’m at on your priority list.”

“Priority list? You’ve been on your phone the entire time you’ve been here. Last night, I wanted you to meet my friends, and all you did was play games or whatever on your phone.”

“Right, last night. Where all of you were in conversations that had nothing to do with me.”

“That’s not true. Everyone was trying to get to know you and include you. I’m sorry—actually no I’m not. I’m not sorry we talked about our lives in front of you. I want you to be involved in my life, which means being involved in my friends’ lives.”

Maybe Callum was right. Why am I with Seth? Why is he with me?

I forgot my leftovers, the slices he had boxed up with the remainder of my salad. When I went back inside, Cal stopped me, questioning why I am with Seth. Used a slew of names I had to google.

I’ve been thinking about it all night.

I still don’t have an answer. Shouldn’t that be my answer?

“Friends, yeah, like Carlisle.”

“Callum,” I correct way too quickly.

“Callum. Calvin. Carlisle. It doesn’t matter. You two seemed to get along.”

“I’ve met him once and probably spoken fifty words to him.”

“He was looking at you as if that’s a lie.”

That’s because he saw me naked.

“Are you jealous? I have to see you in photos and videos weekly around other women.”

“No. No, you don’t get to question me here. I’m not doing anything, Chloe. Why are you behaving this way?”

My body stiffens at his tone.

I inhale slowly.

“You are behaving like a child,” he tacks on.

A child? If anyone is acting their shoe size, it’s him.

“This is ridiculous. You know that?”

Seth claps. “Look at you, finally right about something. You are being ridiculous.”

“Stop it, please,” I beg. “I want to be there for Emerson.”

“And I want to hang out with my girlfriend. I’ve missed you.”

“I want that too. And we can do both. I’ll be back by ten at the latest. We’ll have the rest of the day together.”

---