Page 37 of All I Ask
“This is the way it has to be. If you were married to Keith and he told—you realized what it was doing to him, you can’t say—”
“I would tell him to fuck off!” I yell. Now I’m pissed. If Meghan has an issue with me, then she could’ve talked to me. Instead, she makes him cut me off? Fuck them both.
“You wouldn’t.” He sighs and then sniffs.
He doesn’t get to cry. I’m the one breaking. “Well, I guess there’s nothing more to say,” I say and then wince. “You clearly have made your decision, screw me and the baby you promised to be there for.”
“I’m sorry, Teagan. I hope you and the baby will be happy. I want nothing more than for you to find everything you want. I wish there was another way.”
The tears won’t stop and I wipe them away. “There’s always another way. That’s what’sreal, but apparently our friendship wasn’t. You want me to stop calling and talking to you, fine. Just do me one favor, don’t ever contact me again because I can’t…I can’t even breathe right now. I thought…well, I thought wrong and I’m done. I’ll be happy because what choice do I have? You’re a fucking coward and I don’t ever want to hear from you again! Goodbye, Derek.”
I hang up the call, throwing the phone against the wall, shattering onto the floor.
Another stabbing pain hits my stomach and I stand up, only to have a gush of water fall to the floor.
My water broke, just like my heart.
Chapter Fourteen
Teagan
Present
“I don’t want to go to school,” Chastity complains as I try to get her ass out of bed.
“Well, you have to.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you suck?”
I laugh. “Daily. You’ve met my mother, remember? Now, get your butt up and get ready.”
She sits up, groans, and then flops back down on her pillow. “Where were you last night?”
“In my bed.”
“No, I looked for you before I went to sleep and you weren’t there.”
My mind immediately goes back to the beach. The words Derek said and the way he said them. How much disappointment filled me and is still there. I’m…unlovable. That’s all I can come up with.
Two men, one who I loved with my whole being and the other who I should’ve never given a chance, both found the idea of loving me so disgusting they cut me out. I’m winning at life for sure.
“I was at the beach.”
Chastity nods. “I should’ve figured.”
“I needed perspective.”
“Did you find any?”
“Nope,” I tell her as I get to my feet.
“Maybe you should try a park next time.”
I really would like to throttle her some days. “Maybe you should get to school before I call the cops for truancy.”
Chastity gasps. “You wouldn’t.”
“You’re right.” I sigh. “I’ll just call Grandma.”
