Page 65 of One More Round

“Well, I kinda, maybe, sorta invited Simon.” This time she does sound apologetic.

I try to fight the cringe, but I know they see it.

Grumbling under her breath Ruby glares at Morgan. “Mo, why would you do that? I thought we decided against putting everyone in an awkward situation.”

“I know, I know. But it was awkward for me and it just slipped out,” Mo whispers back.

I close my eyes trying to center myself. They continue their whispered argument.

“If it was awkward for you, how do you think everyone else felt?” she asks.

“I know, I know,” Morgan repeats.

Ruby starts to speak again but I stop her. “You guys, I can hear you.”

“Right, sorry.” Morgan looks sheepish.

“So, what did he say?” Ruby asks.

She bites her lip again and I know she doesn't want to answer. But it’s too late, I have to know.

I let out a heavy sigh. “Just tell me.”

“He said that it would be best for everyone if he didn’t attend. But that he appreciated the invite.” Morgan sounds so sad as she shares his response, but I’m not surprised. I feel some hot tears prickle at the back of my eyes but tame them down with quick blinks.

“It’s fine.” I try to sound like it doesn’t bother me. But damn it, Morgan still looks guilty. “What else are you not telling me?”

“I kind of told him to not be a jerk and make sure he tells you goodbye,” she says with more authority in her voice.

I groan, “Mo … why would you say that? For starters, I’m the jerk for not telling him about the job. Also, he doesn’t owe me anything.”

“But he said that he didn’t want to be a jerk, that he was just really mad and hurt. I told him that we were all seeing you off at the airport and he said that he’d try to be there,” she says with hope-filled eyes.

“What does he mean bytryto be there? I mean, if Dex, Link, and Bernie are going with us … He’s pretty much on the same schedule as them. I don’t get it.”

I mean, Ruby has a fair point, but I know deep down it depends on if he wants to see me one last time or not. I think it might break my heart a bit more if he doesn’t show, but why would he? I did it to him, it's my penance. I clear my throat to break up their argument.

“It’s fine. Really. Honestly, it’s best he isn’t there.” Ruby nods her head in agreement but Morgan looks at me skeptically.

“Really, Mo. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my last night with my friends if he were there.” I try to convince her … and myself.

“OK, if you say so.” Her hands, palms out, wave back and forth in surrender.

I pull myself up and off my bed and start to busy myself with shifting boxes around. I see Ruby glance to Morgan out of the corner of my eyes but just ignore it. If they want to say more, they will, but I’m not going to continue dwelling on anything Simon related. At least, not out loud, I’m not.

Chapter Thirty

Simon

“Dude. You know I love you but are you sure this is how you want to play this?” Dex asks, leaning against the doorjamb into my room.

I lean back in my beanbag chair—yeah, I have a fucking beanbag chair in my room. I scrub a hand down my face and look over at him.

“What are you talking about?”

“You know what,” he replies, brings his hand to his chin in measurement. “Blond, about yea high, leaving on a jet plane and isn’t coming back again.”

“Your obsession with that movie is borderline worrisome, man,” I reply. We all quote movies but the fact that he’s always quoting shit fromArmageddonis both hilarious and baffling.

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