Page 41 of Counter Bet

Emily.

Rick’s white Porsche sits parked when I pull up in his driveway. It’s been weeks since the night with Dallas, and he’s still distant. I don’t know what to do anymore, so here I am.

I flick the visor back up, exit the car, and walk up to the front door. The doorbell used to be a standard chime, but it’s been replaced with one that plays a tune when you press it—a tune that never seems to end.

Footsteps sound on the other side before the door opens. Rick’s mother, Mrs. Taylor, smiles at me. She’s a beautiful woman with dark hair and the same color eyes as her son.

“Hi, Emily. What a lovely surprise. Rick is upstairs in his bedroom.” She holds the door open for me. “We haven’t seen you in a while. Your mom tells me you and the girls have a new cheer routine?”

I smile politely as I step through the door. “Yes, we performed it for the first time at the pep rally on Friday and then again at the away game.”

Mrs. Taylor sighs tiredly. “I wish I could have been there, but I’m swamped with another big case. I’ll make sure to come to see you soon. I don’t want to miss your new routine. You girls work so hard.”

If anyone knows, it’s Mrs.Taylor. She used to be a cheerleader herself in high school.

“Up you go. I’m sure Rick will be excited to see you.”

I’m not so sure about that.

I offer her a parting smile, then make my way up the sweeping staircase.

Rick is lying on the bed watching TV when I step inside and close the door behind me.

He looks over in surprise.

I lean back against the door and smile, but it’s a sad, tired smile. “We need to talk.”

He sits up, feet on the floor, elbows on his knees. He rubs his big hands through his dark hair and drags them down his face, blowing out a heavy breath. He meets my gaze with tired eyes of his own. “I’m sorry.”

I push off the door and join him on the bed. It dips under my weight.

Rick picks at his cuticles. The silence in the room is heavy despite the TV. He doesn’t look at me. “I don’t know what came over me, Em. I never wanted you to see that.”

He’s referring to that night.

“It’s okay, Rick. I liked it,” I reply quietly, fidgeting with the hem of my dress. “I liked it a lot, and I don’t want you to think otherwise. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

He lifts his head, searching my eyes for the truth. I let him see it.

I compose myself for what needs to be said next. My heart aches, but I know it’s the right decision.

“We aren’t together for the right reasons, Rick.” My heart is breaking, but it’s also stitching itself together.

A deep sigh whooshes out of him. He drops his head, staring down at the floor between his bare feet.

We sit in silence.

“You’re right,” he replies, looking at me. “But it doesn’t undermine what we had, Em. I need you to know that.”

Had.Past tense.

Tears pool in my eyes and blur my vision. Even though I know he’s right, it still hurts. “I know.” I attempt a weak smile. “You’re the best first boyfriend I could’ve ever asked for, Rick.”

He’s been there for me since childhood. My rock for as long as I can remember. Maybe we got together because it was easy and pleased our parents, but things have changed lately. The night with Dallas was the catalyst.

I want Rick to fall head over heels in love one day, but we both know it won’t be with me.

He smiles sadly, taking my hand, threading his fingers through mine. “I’ll always be here for you. You know that, right?”

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