Page 78 of Cocky Nerd
“Do not leave me atip.”
He puts his wallet back in his pocket. He kisses me on thecheek.
I start to say something, to tell him I hope he does come back tomorrow, but he brings his phone to his ear and starts talking to Sanjay. Business as usual, Iguess.
Saturday
He hasn’t come back.
He didn’t comeback.
I can’t believe he didn’t comeback.
He hasn’t sent a text orcalled.
But then again, neither haveI.
Both Callie and Franklin think I’m blowing it. It’s all too obvious that we’ve had a fight and that I’m being stubborn, but I refuse to discuss it with them. They assume I’m just getting bored of him because that’s what I usually do. God, I wish I were bored ofhim.
When I gethome from the restaurant, I call my brother. He had sent an ominous text that simply said:Call me when youcan.
Shit, he’s breaking up with me. That’s the first thing that came to my mind when I read the text. My devilish brain almost believes that John has asked my brother to tell me that it’s over. Or—he told my brother about the agreement. If he told him about it then it is over. If he didn’t then I guess there’s still hope. For what, I’m notsure.
“Hey,” says my brother when heanswers.
“Hi,” I say hesitantly. “What’sup?”
“I’mengaged.”
“What?!”
“Did you really not hearme?”
“ToKatie?!”
“Yes, genius, I’m engaged to mygirlfriend.”
“Uh, she’s your fiancée now,genius.”
“Right. Sheis.”
He’s smiling. For the first time in days, I remember what happiness feelslike.
“Congratulations. I’m so happy for you. She’s reallygreat.”
“Yeah. Sheis.”
“Mom and Dad must bethrilled.”
“Theyare…”
“What’swrong?”
“I just talked toJohnny.”
“Oh shit.” He’s breaking up with me. My brother just softened the blow with this engagementnews.
“What?”
