Page 5 of Don't Puck Your Best Friend’s Girl

The girls are staring at the ground, thinking that one through.

"Damn, that's a good realization," Mina says deep in thought.

I drain my glass and hold it out for more. "Remember last year? When we could not keep our hands off each other?"

"Yeah, you were like obsessed with him," Mina laughs, refilling my wine. "Always disappearing during parties, showing up with your hair all messed up."

"Now the only thing that gets messed up is my self-esteem." I sink deeper into the couch. "I can't remember the last time we had real sex, not the five-minute 'let's get this over with' kind."

"You need to talk to him," Chloe says. Always the sensible one.

"I've tried! He just says I'm overreacting. That I knew gaming was important to him when we started dating." I pull a throw pillow to my chest. "Which is true, but it wasn't his entire personality back then."

"What about counseling?" Chloe suggests.

Mina snorts.

I chuckle. "What would I say?My college boyfriend missed our anniversary dinner last year to play Fortnite?That's so embarrassing." My voice went embarrassingly low trying to mock my own feelings.

"Saylor," Mina turns to face me fully. "You're smart, gorgeous, and way too good for someone who puts video games before you. If he can't see the catch that you are, it's his loss."

"But what if I'm just not trying hard enough? Maybe if I—"

"No." Chloe cuts me off. "Don't blame yourself for his inability to be a decent boyfriend."

The tears start again. "I just feel so stupid. Like I've wasted this entire past year on someone who stopped caring ages ago, but I was too blind to see it."

"You're not stupid," Mina says firmly. "You're loyal and a romantic. There's a difference."

We sit in silence for a moment, the only sound my occasional sniffle. Then my phone buzzes.

"Don't answer," Mina warns.

But I'm already opening Byron's message.

Game's over. Want to come back?

No apology. No acknowledgment of why I left. Just assuming I'll run back when he's ready for me.

"What did he say?" Chloe asks.

I show them the screen, and Mina's face darkens.

"Tell him to go fuck himself."

Instead, I type.No thanks. Busy with the girls.

His response is immediate.K. See you tomorrow.

"That's it?" Chloe's voice rises. "Not even a 'sorry I ignored you' or 'let's talk about this'?"

"That's pretty selfish of him, Saylor."

I toss my phone aside. "Welcome to my relationship."

"You know what you need?" Mina stands up. "Ice cream and a plan."

"A plan for what?"

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