Page 32 of Bookgasms
Gods. Why does he have to be such a douche sometimes?
“You know I do more than just go to school, right? I have a job and friends. I’m not always thinking about school.”
His eyes flash. “So you’re thinking of someone else while we’re hanging out? That’s awesome. Let me guess, it’s Maya.”
“Seriously, Gary?” I throw my hands in the air, my words coming out louder with each one. I can feel eyes turning toward us as I lean in. “I don’t understand your issue with Maya.”
“She’s using you, Dani. I don’t know why you can’t see that.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, okay. You don’t know a damn thing about Maya or our relationship.”
“You mean friendship?”
“I meant what I said—not that it’s any of your fucking business.” I push to my feet. “You know what? I’m done. I’m going home.”
Gary’s eyes widen. “No. Don’t go. I’m sorry. I’ll stop. I just don’t get to see you that often, and it hurts that you seem like you’d rather be anywhere other than here.”
That’s because I would rather be anywhere but here.
I sigh, knowing I won’t admit that to him.
“Gary, I just don’t think it’s a good idea for us to hang out. You’re clearly not over me if you’re this jealous of Maya, and I don’t want to lead you on.” I reach into my bag and pull out some cash, tossing it onto the table. “I’ve made it perfectly clear that I’m not interested in being anything but your friend, but you can’t seem to wrap your head around that. We obviously need abreak from our friendship. Maybe after you find someone else, we can try again. Until then, I’m done. I’m sorry.”
Not bothering to wait for a response, I stalk across the sports bar we’ve been eating at, ignoring the stares from the other tables. It’s not like either of us was exactly quiet while we were arguing. Of course they’re paying attention.
I would be if I were them.
“You’ll come crawling back!” Gary shouts, anger making his words sharper. “You always do.”
I don’t bother to turn around, lifting my hand in the air and flipping him off. I smirk as I hear someone clapping.
“You tell him!”
“Don’t put up with that bullshit!”
A few others offer me words of encouragement as I duck outside with a sigh of relief.
Telling Gary we can’t be friends feels like a weight off my shoulders. I should’ve done this sooner—something else Maya was right about.
As much as I don’t want to hear her gloating about it, as soon as I’m in the car, I call her. My hands shake with adrenaline, and I know I can’t drive like this.
I make sure the doors are locked as ringing fills the rental car I’m driving. It’s a nice enough car, but it’s not mine. Unfortunately, it’s going to be another week or two before it’s ready for me—something I’m not at all happy about.
“Hey, Dani.”Maya hesitates.“Aren’t you supposed to be hanging out with Gary right now?”
I snort. “I am, but he was being an asshole.”
“Fucking Gary.”Maya sighs.“But he’s always an asshole, so I’m not sure I understand.”
“He got jealous about me spending time with you again. Clearly, he’s not over me—“
“I fucking told you so!”
Laughter spills from me as I shake my head. “I knew you were going to say that. But I told him we needed to take a break from our friendship until he was truly over me. Then, I threw money on the table and walked away. Of course, he had to have the last word and yelled across the bar that I’d come crawling back.”
“He did not!”She gasps.“Definitely being more of an asshole than usual.”
“Yup. But that’s okay, I just kept walking and flipping him off. Someone clapped, and a few people yelled encouraging words as I walked out.”
