“Look, no question, Gage was an asshole for saying that you used him and his TikTok fame for your business. That quip about his dad was shitty too. But I honestly don’t think he meant it. I’ve seen you together. I’ve seen how happy you two are. I’ve never seen you like this with anyone before, Bec. Ever.” She gently squeezes my shoulder. “You even said that he started to apologize to you before you kicked him out. And don’t get me wrong, you had every right to kick him out for saying that crap to you. But it sounded like he knew it was wrong the second he said it. I’m not excusing what he did. He owes you one hell of a grovel for that. But we’ve all said mean and hurtful things to the people we care about.”
I start to speak but trail off. She’s right.
“And look, I’m about to say something that’s going to piss you off, but it needs to be said: you were wrong too, Bec.”
I’m stunned. “What?”
“You shouldn’t have pushed Gage to forgive his dad.”
I scoff. “Tori, how could you say that? His dad looked heartbroken when he came to me begging for help. Gage was being so mean to him.”
“I know, Bec. But what you’ve seen isn’t the whole picture. Gage has every right to feel upset at his dad. When you pressed him to give him another chance, I can see how that hurt him. He probably just wanted support from you in that moment more than anything else.”
I go quiet as I think about what my best friend has just said. It never occurred to me that all Gage needed was for me to listen to him and support him, not tell him what I think he should do, then get upset when he refused.
“I know you aren’t in the mood to hear any of that,” she says. “But I’m your best friend. We’ve always told each other the truth, even when it’s hard to hear.”
I exhale. “No, you’re right. I needed to hear all of that.”
She pulls me into a hug. Aiden runs over to us, out of breath. “We just got a vanload of soccer kids. It’s all-hands-on-deck.”
I peer around him and see a sea of middle schoolers crowded in the lobby. I smile to myself as my adrenaline kicks up. This is what I’ve always dreamed of, having an ice cream shop that’s always busy, always full of happy customers.
I pat Aiden on the shoulder. “It’s gonna be okay.”
We start to head for the front, but Tori pulls on my hand. “Are you gonna talk to Gage?”
I nod. “As soon as we close up tonight.”
* * *
I lock up the now-empty store and grab my phone. I pull up Gage’s name and text him.
Me:Hey. Can we talk?
My heart leaps when I see those three gray dots appear almost immediately. But they fade as soon after, then reappear, then fade. Two more times, that happens. I watch the screen of my phone, my stomach in knots. My brain is a mess as I wonder how he’s feeling, what he’s thinking, if he’s open to giving me, givingusanother chance. Finally, he answers.
Gage:I just need some time.
My heart sinks. I guess I have my answer.
Chapter25
Gage
“Anak, where’s Becca? I thought you said she was coming.”
I plaster what I hope is a convincing smile on my face and hug my mom. “She couldn’t make it. Sorry. But here.” I point out the massive bouquet of pink roses that I set on the table in the foyer of her house when I walked in a few minutes ago. “Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.”
“Oh! How beautiful!” She pats my cheek with her hand. “Thank you. Is this from both you and Becca?”
I hold back a flinch. “Well, um…”
I knew this would come up. My stomach is in knots at the thought of being here without Becca. I think back to how Mom invited Becca to come today when she met her at Millie’s baby shower and how excited she was to see her. I didn’t want to upset her on her birthday of all days by telling her that Becca and I broke up.
“Hey, those are pretty.” I point at the tall glass vase of lilies on the end table next to us, desperate for a distraction.
“Oh yes. So pretty.” I notice her cheeks flush when she looks at them. I see a small white card next to it with a heart scrawled in red ink and the letter “A” below it.
