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When a knock sounds at my door, I don’t move from my spot on the couch. It’s probably my sisters, or worse, my dad and his poser fiancée.
Another loud knock.
I don’t budge.
“Meg, I know you’re in there.”
It’s Tyler.
Seeing him sounds not much better than seeing my dad.
“Open up,” he says.
I don’t even bother smoothing my hair as I make my way to the door. I’ll never be as good as his first wife, so our relationship is doomed for failure no matter what.
When I open the door, Tyler’s eyes sweep over my less-than-stellar appearance. I’m sure there are bags under my eyes, and I’ve definitely cried off all my makeup.
“Rough day?”
I hate the kindness in his eyes.
“How did you know?”
“Your dad called me.”
“Of course he did.”
I walk away from the door and go back to my spot on the couch. Tyler follows me inside, shutting the door for me. He pushes my feet aside, making room for him to sit beside me.
“I know this is hard for you. Are you okay?”
No, I’m not okay. I’m letting my broken heart ruin every relationship that is important to me.
I raise my chin. “It doesn’t matter if I’m okay. What’s done is done.”
Tyler reaches for my hand, but I pull away. Breaking up with someone is like a removing a Band-Aid. You just have to rip it off.
“I can’t do me and you,” I say.
His eyebrows lift. “You can’t do me and you?”
“That’s right.”
“Meg, what you’re feeling about your dad has nothing to do with us.”
“It has everything to do with us.” I stand, pacing the room. “Can’t you see? I’m Krew’s Anna Mae.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
“I can't replace Kristen. I’ll never compare to her.”
“No one’s asking you to.”
“Krew did. Do you know what he said to me this morning? He said he wanted me to be his mom instead of her. I can’t be the person who tears apart your family.”
“I think Kristen’s death already tore us apart.”
“You don’t get it. Kristen will always be your first love, and I'll always be the girl that can't live up to her. I’ll be second best the rest of my life.”
