Page 77 of Thanks for the Memories
“And I didn’t kick you out—you’re still here. I only told you to find another place to stay tonight because I didn’t want more of this.” I point back and forth between us.
“You caused this,” she says, mimicking my pointing. “Everything was great between us until I told you I was moving here. You wanted all the attention for starting a new life in a new city. You can’t stand when everything is not all about you.”
I feel my blood pressure rising by the second, thankfully the sound of my phone buzzing distracts me from saying something I’ll most likely regret. I look at the screen and see Dante’s number, so I walk to my room without saying another word to her. As soon as I’m safely away from her, I answer my phone.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Hi. I’m sorry I missed your call.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a sigh.
“You don’t sound okay. I heard things got a little heated over there.”
I let out a deep sigh.
“First of all, I want to apologize that Bethany felt the need to call and drag you into our mess.”
“What happened?” he asks. “I thought your reunion was going great.”
I dive right into the story, and I don’t leave anything out. Even the stuff that has to do with him.
At this point I have nothing to lose, so I put it all out on the table. I already know Bethany is going to put her own spin on what actually happened.
“Whoa. That’s heavy,” he says after I finish. “I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“Dante, I don’t want you to feel like you’re stuck in the middle. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“I know, but it bothers me that you two are having issues,” he says.
The last thing I want to hear is him talk about Bethany and me as the dynamic duo. Those days are long over.
“The only thing I can offer is I don’t think Bethany meant the things she said. You know how difficult her life has been.”
Um … what? Is he siding with her?
“Yes, I’m very aware of her family situation,” I say curtly.
I called it. She’s going to play on his sympathies to push her plight. She’s making me out to be the terrible friend who abandoned her in Chicago and then kicked her out onto the streets of Miami.
“Mike used to tell me about it when they were together,” he adds. “I know your friendship means a lot to her.”
My jaw tightens as I try to decide the best way to respond. Kudos to Bethany—she accomplished what she set out to do.
“I wish that were true, but I disagree.”
“Reagan.”
“What?” I snap.
“Don’t be mad—I’m trying to stay neutral here.”
I sigh. “I know you’re in a tough spot. That’s why she never should’ve called you.”
The tension through the phone is so thick. It’s probably a good idea for me to end the call before saying something I can’t take back.
“Anyway, I’m sure you have to get to the restaurant.”
“I can tell you’re upset.”
