Livid. I’m livid. I stomp to the door, then change my mind and slam one of my dresser drawers.
Karli jumps off the bed and holds up two hands to ward me off. I’m not going to attack her like a wild animal. But I’m also notnotgoing to attack her like a wild animal.
“I know. I know. But you weren’t letting yourself be. And if I’m not mistaken, you’ve been happier since meeting Michael than I’ve seen you in years. Maybe ever.”
I can’t believe her.
“Did you ever stop to think that maybe I don’t need a man to be happy?” There’s a number two pencil digging into my chest. Karli has been the only constant in my life. She was there every time I wanted to escape my parents’ fights. I know she only wants the best for me but, this…
Thishurts.
I collapse onto the bed.
“Of course, I know that.” She sitson the bed, closer this time, and I accept her hug, even though I’m angry with her. I still need her. I still need someone on my side. Even if she’s trying get me to converse with the enemy. “I didn’t know how else to tell you I was concerned about your happiness.”
I sniff and dab at my eyes. “How about, ‘hey Juliet, I’m concerned for your happiness’?”
She gives me a knowing look. “Would that have worked?”
Probably not.It’s so annoying when everyone’s right but me.
“I’m sorry I used you, but I won’t apologize for the sunshine in your eyes when Michael’s around. Aren’t you glad you met him?”
That’s the question, isn’t it? If I hadn’t met him, my heart wouldn’t be at war with itself. One half trying to feel while the other remains colder than Christmas. Not an Arizona Christmas, more like a Canadian one.
I let him close to me, and it hurt. I’m not sure if I can do it again. But for a moment, I was happy.
More than happy. I was falling for him.
“Hey, Juliet,” one of our other roommates hollers. “There’s some guy here to see you.”
My heart rate kicks up a notch. Could it be?
I stand up, straightening my shirt and combing down my hair with my fingers.
I walk out of the room, but it’s not Michael. It’s Sean, sitting on our living room couch, flipping through the television channels like he owns the place.
How very him.
“Sean?”
He gives me a smile I’m sure has girls clear in Indiana swooning. “Hey, Juliet.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “Did you come to get your butt kicked at pool again?”
His eyes narrow ever so subtly.
He really is a poor loser.
“Let’s not waste time discussing things of the past. Unless we are talking about your relationship with my brother.”
I swallow and rock back on my feet. “We were never in a real relationship.”
That much is true.
He tilts his head to the side. “Does Michael believe that?”
A knife slices through my stomach. I think it’s painfully obvious now if it wasn’t clear before.
