Page 11 of Holiday Plus-One
“And is that a fucking problem? I’m single and she’s single…” I wonder if there’s something I’m missing. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Yesterday, there was this moment. This look between you two but not at the same time but still I saw it. Do you two have an issue with each other or something?”
“None that I’m aware of.”
“But you two do know one another, right? It's not a big town.”
“Do you know her?” Tracie asks, which tells me she’s hiding something from me. She’s deflecting.
“I don’t think so.”
I don’t remember ever meeting Valentina and if I did meet her, no way would I just erase her from my memories. No way.
“Okay then.”
“Trac, what are you hiding?”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“Your voice just went up an octave.”
“Did it?”
“It did. Now, spill before I change my mind and go back to sleep.”
“Fine!” She rolls her light brown eyes, and her brown skin loses a little bit of its color. “Fine, but you can’t be mad or judge me.”
“What does that even mean?”
“Just, shut up, Benjamin. Let me talk.”
“Hmm.”
“I used to bully her.” She whispers it and I stare at her because I must have misunderstood.
“I’m sorry? Come again?”
“What? You heard me. I bullied her and I feel like shit about it.”
“Did you know Vic was her brother?”
“No but when I did find out, it was too late, I was in love.”
“In love?” I repeat. “In love?” I chuckle. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You bullied his sister, didn’t tell him and she’s not a part of anything now. How do you think it’ll look?”
“Vic knows I never did that on purpose.”
“Jesus, Trac.” I shake my head. “How could you bully her knowing how …” I stop because I don’t want to bring up her father.
“I know, Riley. I shouldn’t have been like that. Don’t you think I know?”
We stay silent for a moment and then I look at her.
“You’re going to have to tell Vic and not only that but fucking also apologize to Valentina.”
“How do you know I haven’t?”
