Page 6 of The One for Me
“And he broke up with me.”
I open the folder, ready to move on from my disaster of a personal life, but Sydney isn’t.
“He broke up with you?”
I sigh and close the file. “Yes, and I don’t blame him for it, either. Oliver should be with someone who loves him madly. Not someone who is unwilling to give her heart to him.”
“Why are you unwilling?”
“I just am.”
Syd’s head jerks back. “That sums it all up. Is it because of something in your past? Something that you’re trying to keep hidden, but sucking at it? Or maybe because you’re afraid of something?”
“I’m unwilling right now because my boss is asking too many questions,” I say defensively.
Sydney pulls the papers from my hand and tosses them onto the other side of the bed. “You know I’m not a patient person. I like toknowthings and help people. You have something you’re upset about that doesn’t involve sticking your tongue in Sean’s mouth. Tell me.”
There are some truths that can’t be spoken, this is one.
So, I go with something else that is part of it. “It’s about why I stayed away so long.”
“You mean from Sugarloaf after college?”
“Yes, I . . . loved someone when I was in Colorado. I loved him a lot, but I didn’t ever tell anyone.” She smiles and waits for me to continue. “We never should’ve been together, which is why I don’t talk about it. Christopher was older and in a position of authority. Anyway, the last few weeks have been hard because he’s been on my mind a lot, and now with Sean, it’s like I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Sydney’s lips pull into a tight line. “I can’t tell you who you are, only you can do that. What I can tell you is that you’re brave, beautiful, smart, and a wonderful friend. You didn’t have to tell Oliver about the kiss, it was a drunk night that no one would fault you for, but you did. You face your mistakes head-on. You deal with the consequences, and that is something you should be proud of.”
Oh, how wrong she is. There is no facing my mistakes, I run. The minute I could, I escaped the college I was at and all that surrounded him. I run from it all, and I’m doing it now with Sean.
“I wish that were true. I still haven’t answered Sean’s calls or texts.”
“You need to talk to him. Trust me. This won’t go away, and it’s better to know where he stands before he’s back in town and in your face.”
My phone pings with a text.
“Speak of the devil,” I say, shoving my phone away without reading it.
“Why don’t you head home? Declan keeps pacing by the door, and I’m getting a little tired. Thank you for bringing this over.” Her hand taps the folder.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I’m here if you need me.”
I squeeze my friend’s hand and then head out to the hall where, sure enough, Declan is wearing a hole in the floor.
“You okay?” I ask.
“No. This is insane. I’m nervous, frantic, and afraid to leave the house to get food. She makes a noise, and I’m leaping to my feet.” He runs his hands through his hair.
I smile at my lifelong friend, somewhat enjoying his misery. “This is payback for being such a tool the last few months.”
“I have a feeling I’ll be getting payback for a long time.”
“Yeah, I think you will. I’ll see you later.”
I start to make my way downstairs, but Declan calls my name. When I look back, he seems to waver with saying something. “I promised him I wouldn’t get involved,” Dec starts, and I tense.
“He told you.”
