Page 112 of Glad You Exist

I pull out my phone. All week, I haven’t let myself read her messages.

Worried, I would cave and respond to them if I did.

Until last night when I finally opened the thread and saw just how many times she reached out. Apologized. Begged me to talk to her.

Please come back.

I'm sorry.

Can we talk?

I need to tell you what happened.

Please give me a chance.

Can I come over?

I'm so so sorry.

Even just for five minutes, please?

I just need a minute, please Brad.

I'm so sorry I hurt you.

I don't want to lose you.

Can we not do this? Not again.

Is this it?

This is how you break up with me?

Please talk to me.

Please.

Okay, I understand.

I lied; I don't understand but this is what you need. What you want.

So, okay. Again, I'm sorry.

My stomach plummets and the fear of this being the end of us overcomes me.

I lean my arm on the table and drop my forehead on it.

"Funny. That's how Liz looked like all week when like a jackass you broke her heart."

I jerk my head up. See two pairs of eyes staring at me intently. I open my mouth to speak but Kim shoves her tray and holds a finger up.

"I'm going to tell you this not because you deserve it but because I want you to know just how badly you screwed this up."

Kyle nudges Kim and whispers something. She shakes her head, she’s adamant about this.

I tense, steeling myself.

"Uncle Will proposed to Olivia. In front of Liz and Dan last Friday." Kim sits up, grabbing her purse beside her. "And next week is Aunt Cat's birthday. So maybe before you assumed the worst of Liz, you should have given her a chance to tell you why she was so withdrawn."