Page 9 of Don't Puck Your Best Friend’s Girl

I should cry. Should feel something more than this numbness spreading through my chest. But all I feel is…relieved. Like I've been holding my breath for months and can finally exhale.

The worst part? He doesn't even fight for me. Doesn't try to understand. Just accepts it like I've cancelled dinner plans, not ended our entire relationship.

If he supports Cade's cheating ass, then I can't be with him. Byron's reaction today showed me where his priorities lie. Not with me. Never with me anymore.

My phone buzzes again. Not Byron this time, but Mina.

Did you do it?

Yeah. It's done.

Good. Wine and pizza tonight. My treat.

No wine. Just pizza. And maybe ice cream.

Done. Love you. Proud of you.

I pocket my phone and head toward my next class. Business Law with Professor Hendricks. No Byron in this one, thank God.

As I walk, I catch my reflection in the library windows. The blue dress Mina picked out makes me look put together, confident. Nothing like someone who just broke up with her boyfriend. A nagging feeling deep in my gut says that maybe Byron didn't take me seriously over text. We were such a comfort couple that I don't think he's taking this seriously at all.

I pull out my phone and type out a last message to Byron.

This is my last text to you. Bye, Byron.

Our tiny kitchen is a disaster zone. Flour dusts every surface, even in Chloe's hair. We're attempting homemade cookie ice cream sandwiches––emphasis on attempting.

"These are definitely not Instagram worthy," I say, pressing vanilla ice cream between two lumpy chocolate chip cookies.

"They taste good though." Mina licks melted ice cream off her fingers. "That's what matters."

We carry our creations to the living room, where 10 Things I Hate About You plays on TV. Mina's phone keeps lighting up on the coffee table.

"Jake again?" Chloe asks, taking a massive bite of her sandwich.

"Yeah." Mina grabs her phone. "The hockey team's having a party this weekend. We should go."

I consider this for a moment. A party sounds exactly like what I need. Dancing, drinks, music loud enough to drown out my thoughts. When was the last time I went out just to have fun? Without worrying about getting home early for Byron or checking my phone every five minutes?

"I'm in," I say, surprising myself with how quickly I agree.

Mina's eyes light up. "Really? That was easier than I expected."

"Why wouldn't I be down to go?" I shrug, taking another bite of my melting creation. "I'm single. There'll be free drinks, good music, hot guys in hockey jerseys. What's not to love?"

The truth settles in my chest like warmth. I want this. Want to laugh too loud, dance badly, maybe flirt with someone new. Not to get over Byron but to remember what it feels like to be just Saylor. Not someone's girlfriend. Not the girl who has to make excuses for why her boyfriend never shows up to things.

"Will you stay with us the whole night?" I ask Mina. "Not disappear with Jake the second we get there?"

She holds up her pinky. "Promise. No ditching for at least two hours."

"Two hours?" Chloe laughs. "That's your limit?"

"Have you seen Jake without his shirt?" Mina fans herself. "Two hours is generous."

I link my pinky with hers, laughing. She's starstruck with her new boyfriend. They've only been together for a few weeks, so I give her a knowing smile. Saturday night with my girls, no pressure, no expectations, sounds perfect. Just us being young and stupid and free. I am so excited now.

Byron won't be there––hockey parties aren't his scene. He will come up with any excuse to avoid anything that isn't his computer screen. For once, I'm grateful for his antisocial tendencies.

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