Page 48 of Barefoot Dreams
“I know, but it will hurt a fraction of what it could later in life. Right now, you might deliver a sharp sting, but a few years and babies later, it could become an incurable disease that was left untreated for too long.”
“Look at you, using your medical knowledge to deliver life lessons.”
“What? Did you think I was just a pretty face with cute rubber ducks and shark slides? Nope, I also performthe besthair flips.”
“May God bless the woman you end up with.” I shake my head while a smile warms my face.
“Why does everyone keep saying that? I’ll be the perfect hubby.” He beats his chest.
“I have no doubt, Jackie.” And I mean it.
“Get in here.” Jacob opens up his arms for me to come in for one of his bear hugs and I do just that. “Now, tell me what’s really going on.”
“Griffin is back.”
“Yeahhhh, and?”
“I’ve been in love with him since I was eight years old.” For the first time, I admit it to someone who’s not my diary.
“Ah, now the whole radish peep show makes more sense,” he jokes, and I slap his chest. “Ow, since when did you get violent?”
“I really did invite him to see my radishes grow and lettuce and tomatoes! They are so big already! And he was excited to see them”
“I’m sure he was,” Jacob murmurs quietly.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing,” he answers too quickly, making me frown. “Then call him and tell him your evening freed up. It did free up, right?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “It’s not fair to Owen. He’s not the bad guy here. He’s just not my guy.”
“Nope, he’s not. But I have a feeling you’ll be all right.”
“You think so?”
“Mm-hmm. You should make that call.”
Hours later, after canceling the dinner with Owen and having a heart to heart with him about us, I’m sitting at my window, staring at my phone.
Owen wasn’t happy obviously, and wanted to try still make this relationship work but I can’t. It’s not fair to him or me, and hearing his pleas tore my soul apart. Sweet daisies, I hate hurting people. I nearly gave in, nearly agreed to another date because I felt so bad. But I didn’t.
Because Jacob is right, it’d hurt less now. Yet it doesn’t take away from the fact that right now I feel horrible. I felt dirty and disgusting like I’m the worst human on this planet.
I hate being mean. Life is so much easier when you get to be nice and smile all the time.
Now I’m staring at my phone because all I want is to feel the comfort of being near Griffin. I don’t need it to be anything more than just the simplicity of his presence. It’s all I’ve ever had from him, and it was more than enough all these years.
I just want him to be here, and maybe it’s time to woman up about it.
Just then a knock sounds on my door. But before I can get my hopes up, my mom walks right in without waiting. “Julie?” she calls out.
“Right here, Mom,” I call back. “What are you doing here?” Last we spoke today, she mentioned having dinner with friends tonight.
“I had a feeling I needed to come see you.” She crouches and sits right next to me, her caramel blonde hair falling over her arms and back as her natural stone bracelets crinkle. “What’s wrong?”
“I had to hurt a good person today.”
“Did they deserve it?”
