Page 92 of Fumbled Beginning

“You’re right.” I sighed. “Any advice on how to get her back or convince her to forgive me?”

He laughed a full-on belly laugh. “Dude, you are on your own with that one. I was just giving you a little advice, but now that I know you’re going to try to win her back, then I wish you all the luck in the world.” He smirked. “You’re going to need it.”

* * *

I stared down at the last message I sent to Rylee.

Please answer my calls. I know I treated you poorly, and I deserve the silent treatment, but I need you to hear me out. I love you, Rylee. So damn much. I’m sorry I made you doubt that. Please answer your phone.

There was a loud pounding at my door, and before I could lift myself off the couch, Rhett came strolling into my living room, holding a fast-food bag in his hands.

“What is all that?”

He pushed my leg off the table and set the food down. “Making sure you eat something.”

“I’m not hungry,” I grumbled.

“When’s the last time you ate?” he asked, scattering a mixture of chicken nuggets, burgers, and fries in front of me.

“I’m not eating all that crap.”

He walked into the kitchen to grab some beers from my fridge. “Yes, you are. You need to eat something.”

He set the beer down, and I dragged a hand over my face. “Food isn’t going to fix how I’m feeling.”

“Okay.” He sat down and rubbed his hands together. “Let’s talk this out.”

“I don’t want to talk about this with you.”

“Well, that’s too bad.” He kicked his feet up on my coffee table and leaned back. “I’m the only friend you got right now.” He folded his hands behind his head. “That’s what happens when you act like a dumbass, but lucky for you I’m not as easily turned off as some people.”

I side-eyed him. “Yeah, I feel really lucky right now.”

“You hurt her, man.” He whistled. “Messed up big time.”

I swallowed down a ball of regret. “I’m aware, but thanks for pointing that out.”

“Did you try calling her?” Rhett asked while munching on a bag of pretzels like he didn’t have a care in the world.

“She won’t return my calls.” I stood and started pacing back and forth in front of my couch.

“Maybe you should show up at her house or something.”

“That’s an awful idea, seeing that I got smacked last time I was there.”

“Well, you were a dick, so I guess you had it coming.”

I shook my head. I can’t believe I called this dipshit over to keep me company.

“What do I do? How do I prove to her that I’m sorry?”

I spent all night racking my brain, thinking of ways to apologize. Somehow, someway, I would get her to forgive me, even if was the last thing I did on this earth.

He sighed. “Hell, if I know, man. But I think she needs convincing. You made her feel like shit and acted like an asshole.” I narrowed my eyes at him as he continued with the insults. “The way you reacted was dumb and stupid.”

I raked a hand through my hair. “God, do I regret opening that door to you.”

“You don’t have a lot of options right now, buddy, so suck it up. I’m one of the few friends you’ve got.”

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