I pull my hand from hers. “Great. She can talk to everyone else but not me.” I stand on my wobbly legs. Perhaps I did push too hard in therapy today.
I leave the half-eaten sub and walk as well as I can to my room. Suddenly, I need to be alone.
“Durango! It’s not like that. Please, just talk to her.”
I walk to my bedroom, close the door, and flop onto the bed.
Once I hear the front door click and the lock engage, I relax a little. Willow has said she had a bad situation with her ex and that’s why she’s hesitating. But why won’t she tell me what happened? Is she still in contact with him? Is she not over him?
I can think about this all day, but that doesn’t move me forward or answer any of my questions. Only one thing will. I grab my phone and type up a message.
Durango:We need to talk.
CHAPTER 8
Willow
I stareat Durango’s message. When he canceled our plans today, I was already in Brooklyn, sitting at a coffee shop. While I told him I’d be home until he messaged me, I changed my mind because I was eager to see him. With my laptop in tow, I planned to work until he was ready.
After his message came in, I wasn’t up to doing any more work, so I packed up and drove back to the apartment in Queens. I borrowed Samantha’s car again. She’s my friend and roommate, and she has been great about loaning me her car from time to time. But when Durango said he was going back to sleep, I knew it was a lie. He’s been distancing himself recently. I told myself it was due to his injuries, but that’s not the real reason.
Now this. He wants to talk. Am I ready? No. But I can’t keep putting him off. As much as I don’t want to see the pity and disappointment in his eyes when I tell him the truth, I need to be honest with him. And he needs to know I’ve been in therapy and am now taking self-defense classes.
My fear is that after he hears everything that happened with Tyler, he might decide it’s too much baggage and we are better off as friends.
I grab my phone and respond.
Willow:When?
Durango:Tonight? At my place. You can stay the night in Piper’s room so you don’t have to drive back late.
Oh, stay the night?
Durango:Or take the subway back that late.
I frown. Is that what he’d prefer I do?
The bubbles are floating, indicating he’s still typing.
Durango:I mean, stay the night so you don’t have to take the subway. Not take the subway.
I smile. He’s rambling. He’s not one to go one like this, which means he’s nervous. I’m nervous, too. My smile drops. What if Piper told him what I revealed to her?
No, she wouldn’t.
Durango:You still there?
I stare at his message again.
Willow:Sounds good. What time should I come over?
Durango:Any time after five works for me.
Willow:Okay. I’ll be there.
I toss my phone onto the bed. I committed. I have to do this.
For the next couple of hours, I try my best to concentrate on work to give myself something else to think about. Finally, when it’s time, I take the subway to Brooklyn since my roommate needs her car tonight.
