Page 19 of No Good Deed

“Oh, Jake, I’m sorry. How long were you guys together?”

“Almost three years.”

“That’s a long time. I’m really sorry.”

“Yeah, it sucks. And the worst thing is, I didn’t even see it coming. The signs were there, but I didn’t see them, or I didn’t want to.”

“Why would you see them if you thought everything was good? I mean, up until today, did she act like she wanted to be with you?”

“Yeah, totally. Just a few weeks ago, we were talking about when we’d get married, how many kids we wanted. And then I call her this morning and she tells me it’s over.”

“Did she say why?”

“She said she wants to experience college, which I’m guessing means she wants to date other guys.”

“Maybe she’ll date those guys, see how lucky she was to have you, and want to get back together.”

“I doubt it. She seemed ready to move on.” I look at Tara. “How do you know she was lucky to have me? Maybe I’m a terrible boyfriend.”

“I don’t believe that. Just hearing you talk about her, I can tell how much you cared about her. You were always a nice guy, Jake.” She smiles as we inch forward in traffic. “I remember when we were kids, I thought you were so cute. I had a huge crush on you.”

“Are you serious?” I smile at her.

“Third grade. Remember when you found that drawing on your desk with the heart on it? That was from me.”

“No shit? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was too shy. And I didn’t think you liked me.”

“I liked you. But I didn’t think I had a chance with you. I thought you were out of my league.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you were pretty. I liked your braids and those overalls you used to wear.”

“Ugh, I hated those. They had a stain on them that wouldn’t come out so everyone knew I was wearing the same ones every day.”

“Nobody cared that you wore them every day.”

“Girls did. They made fun of me for it.”

“You should’ve told me. I would’ve made them stop.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. I could’ve had my brother come talk to them. Just seeing him would scare little girls into being quiet.”

“Yeah, he was huge even when he was a kid.” She glances at me. “How’s Dean doing?”

“Good. He’s a senior at a college in Dallas. His girlfriend goes there too. Actually, she’s his fiancé. They’re getting married next summer.”

“Really? When I knew him, he was always telling girls to leave him alone.”

“Yeah, he changed a lot after meeting Brook.”

“I heard what happened to him,” Tara says in a serious tone. “What your dad did.”

She means when my dad almost killed Dean.

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