Page 23 of Second Chance Ex
“And you were in Columbus because—” I search his eyes. “—because you’re transferring from Fresno toOhio State.”
He releases a tremulous breath, nodding once more.
My heart races. Anger is starting to get the better of me. I try to tamp it down as best I can, but it’s almost impossible. “And I turned downmyfirst-choice school so that I could be withyounext year atFresno.”
With another reluctant nod, Joey squeezes his eyes closed, his grip on my hand tightening, to the point where it’s almost like he’s terrified to let me go.
I lick my suddenly dry lips, looking around for what, I don’t know. It feels as if my whole world has just been knocked off its axis. And I guess, in a way, it has. I spent the last two years working my ass off to getinto Vanderbilt. They have one of the top ranked elementary education programs in the country. And Ididget accepted. In fact, I didn’t just get accepted, I got a partial academic scholarship. I was so proud of myself because I workedsohard and it paid off. But then when Joey and I started to get serious, the fear of leaving him reared its ugly head; our relationship was still relatively new, but it went from zero to sixty in less than a few weeks and I knew I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him, of being on the other side of the country from him.
So, I passed on my Vanderbilt offer and applied to Fresno instead, and deep down I was disappointed, but my love for Joey superseded that disappointment. We talked about renting an off-campus apartment together. We even talked about getting a goddamn dog. But now– now he’s not going to be there. It’ll just be me, and Joey will be in Ohio. I gave up my dream for him, and now I feel like a fucking fool.
I pull my hand away from his, taking a step back. Joey’s brow creases. His eyes fill with the kind of pain that cuts deep as he stares at me, like he’s hurt I just pulled away from him. And I’m sorry. The last thing I want is tonotbe near him, but I am so pissed right now.
“You kept this from me,” I say under my breath.
“It’s not like that,” Joey says, seemingly scrambling for words. “I– I hadn’t made my decision. I– I didn’t know if Iwantedto leave, but?—”
“So, youdo?” I ask, clarifying when he looks at me, “Wantto leave?”
He gawps at me, like he can’t believe I just said that. “Baby, it’s Ohio State. It’s… it’s aBig Tenschool.”
I almost laugh. Almost. I love how he says it like Iknow or even care what that means. I don’t. At all, by the way.
Joey rakes his fingers through his hair, looking up to the night sky a moment before meeting my eyes again. “Prue, I didn’t go to Fresno to sit on the goddamn bench. I’m good at what I do. I want to play! Ideserveto play. And Ohio wants me. It could mean the difference between being a once-was college football player to being picked in the draft.”
I know what he’s saying, and despite the hurt, I do get it. I don’t know a lot about football, but I know Joey’s been miserable with the lack of play time he’s gotten this season with the Bulldogs. I’ve tried to tell him it’s just because he’s a freshman, and maybe next season will be better, but the truth is I have no idea how it works. So, I do understand his reasoning.But that doesn’t mean I’m not pissed at him. I just wish he’d told me he was even considering transferring. How long has this even been going on for? What else hasn’t he told me? I fold my arms across my chest, suddenly cold, staring at Joey like he’s a stranger I barely know. And frankly, right now, he kind of feels like a stranger, like somebody Iusedto know.
“We can make this work. I’ll come out here as much as I can during the off-season. And I’ll pay for you to come out to Ohio as much as you can during the season.” He takes a step closer, closing the distance between us, his hands landing firmly around my waist. “We will make it work. You’reallI want, Prue.”
“But you want to play for aBig Tenschool even more,” I murmur.
Joey shakes his head, but when he opens his mouth to talk, I quickly interject.
“I gave up my dream for you, Joey, without so much as a second thought. And you just chose your dream over me, without even talking to me about it.”
His hands fall from my waist, and the defeat in his shoulders is heartbreaking. I hate hurting him with my words, but I can’t take them back despite how much I want to.
“I’m going home.” I take a step away, glancing at the valet.
“Stop, baby, please don’t walk away,” Joey pleads, reaching for me.
I wave off his hand, continuing in the direction of the valet attendant.
“Prue?” he calls after me.
But I don’t chance a look back at him. I can’t. I know he’s hurting; I’m not denying that. I’m hurting too. But right now, I need to get away from him before I say or do something I know I will regret.
Joey and I are meant to be together. That much I know is true. And I know we will get through this. But that doesn’t discount the betrayal I feel right now. Right now, I need to be alone. And hopefully when morning comes, things will start to look a little less dark.
Vice Principal Hardy pauses, mid-presentation, spearing me with a pointed look, causing all eyes in the staff room to focus directly on me as my phone vibrates loudly on the table top. And I swear, you’d think I’m the first person in the history of meetings to ever have their phone go off. I offer a contrite smile to those around the table, picking up my phone and tucking it away to avoid any further disruption. But, as I do, I catch sight of the screen and I can’t help but sigh so loud it’s almost a groan.
Maddy: What did you think of the invites?
My jaw clenches. The goddamn invitations. You’d think this wasmywedding. I’m more involved than Ryan at this point. I know I’m Maid of Honor, and of course I will do anything to help my best friend have the most perfect day, but she’s literally sent me proofafter proof after fucking proof, copying me in with the designer so many times I’ve lost track of where we’re at in the email trail. Last I saw we were on versionsixteen, and they’re all exactly the same as far as I can tell. I think the only difference is the font size on a few of the lines. At this rate, I kind of don’t care if I remain single for the rest of my life because if this is what it’s like to get married, then hard pass.
It’s only because I know she won’t give up texting me without an acknowledgment that I shoot off a quick reply as stealthily as I can, hiding my phone underneath the table.
Me: I’m in a staff meeting. I’ll look over it ASAP.
