“It’s bed time, Ryan. In our separate beds.”
“I didn’t stay for that,” I say, offended.
Why is it that when I try to be nice, no one understands me? “I stayed because…”
“I honestly don’t care why. You said it, right? It’ll never happen again and we can’t be friends. So I don’t see why you’re here.”
This time I accept it without fighting. She’s right, and I don’t have the energy to argue.
“And as for this match on Sunday…”
“It’s just a game.”
“I don’t like whatever this is between you two.”
“Relax, okay? I just invited him to the stadium, and my brother will be with him – unfortunately for me, he doesn’t miss a match. It’s nothing, honestly.”
She looks at me, furrowing her brow.
“I have to talk to him about it. And his father.”
Hearing her talk about him again makes my stomach turn.
I don’t know who he is, but I already hate him.
“So…have a good night.”
“Goodnight, Ryan.”
I turn away, take my jacket and step outside. I walk the few metres separating me from my car and slide inside. I glance back quickly at the house and, with a heavy weight on my chest, I head back to my apartment – to my comforting silence.
I head back to my life, pretending that nothing ever happened. This time, pretending to myself will be the hardest of all.
