Page 108 of The Bro Pact
But things are different now, and I can’t tell her why.
I can’t tell her about Ren.
“I don’t know, Marissa. Moving in together is a really big step. I need to think about it.”
“I know, baby. But it’s a step in the right direction,” Marissa urges, and I can tell she’s getting impatient, as if she expectedto waltz right in here and get her way. “You’d rather keep living with your parents? Kyle, come on. That’s a little pathetic. You’re going to be twenty soon.”
She’s playing on my insecurities now, but I’m tired of her manipulations. “I said, I have to think about it. Please just accept that, Marissa.”
“Okay, fine. But we have to sign the lease soon, so you only have a few days to decide, or I’ll have to settle with Jenna as my roommate.” She rolls her eyes as if it would be a major inconvenience to live with her best friend.
“I’ll text you.” That’s all I can say.
All I can offer.
“Bye, Kyle.” Marissa’s perfectly-shaped brows crease while she gives me a once over, examining my features a little more closely, as if she realizes something fundamental about me has changed.
“Bye, Marissa.”
She finally leaves, the familiar scent of cherry blossom following in her wake. I peek through the blinds as she struts down the driveway to her car.
Running my fingers through my messy hair, I tangle it further, wishing I could yank it all out, or maybe scream into a pillow.
I don’t need any of this stress.
I need to focus on summer school.
Not even an hour later, there’s a knock on the front door while I’m working on some homework and studying.
I’m really not up for another unannounced visitor, but at least Nelson isn’t home to intercept. I close one eye and look through the peephole, happily surprised to find Warren on my doorstep.
He barges in as soon as I open the door. “Bro!You weren’t answering your phone! I’ve got something important to tell you.”
I’m still a little frazzled after my encounter with Marissa, but he doesn’t need to know that. “My bad. What is it?”
“Gee, Kyle. Don’t sound so excited,” Ren chuckles, but he has no idea that Marissa’s been texting me, calling me, and finally just showed up, asking me to move in with her.
It’s overwhelming, and I’m on edge. I don’t know how I can even play it cool right now.
“Sorry, Ren. I stayed up all night Monday, and I’ve been off ever since. What’s the news?” I ask, giving him a bullshit excuse and a fake smile.
“You okay?” he asks, worried about me instead of whatever it is he wants to tell me.
“Yeah, yeah.Just school.” I brush him off. “What’s up?”
He doesn’t look convinced, but answers anyway. “Pops is giving me another opportunity. He’s gonna let me fix up the apartment over the west garage, and I can live in it until graduation.Wecan live in it.”
My brain overheats, misfiring like a brand-new car screeching across the pavement before hitting the curb and bursting into flame on impact.
We.
He said we.
Ren continues to talk about what an amazing chance this is, and how he’s sure he’ll have it all finished before summer ends.
“It’ll be like our time on the RV exceptevery fucking day. We can finally be together, Kyle.In the real world.Can you believeit?” He laughs so carefree, like a huge weight has been lifted off his shoulders, only to be placed on mine.
Is it possible for a decision to hurt this bad?
