Page 105 of Always You (A Lilac Bay Novel)

CHAPTER 19

But Andrew didn’t make it very easy to hash things out. I called three times that afternoon to no answer. Around nine he sent me a text that said he got caught up working for his dad and he’d try to see me the next day.

I sat on the couch, Gordie curled up on my lap, staring at the text, a sick feeling growing in my stomach. He’d see me the next day? “He’s going to blow me off,” I whispered to the quiet room. I couldn’t believe it. He was actually going to do it. After all of our years of friendship, everything we had been to each other, and he was going to treat me like all the others girls he got tired of after a night.

I was actually shaking, I was so mad. I considered throwing the phone in my hands but thought better of it. I’d be damned if I was out money for a phone because of Andrew. Instead I dialed Rebecca’s number.

“He’s blowing me off!” I shouted the second she picked up.

“Who? What are you talking about?”

Oh. She had no idea what had happened. Apparently the entire world wasn’t caught up in my drama.

“Um,” I said. “I guess I have something to tell you.”

When I finished with the story she was silent for so long I thought I must have lost the connection.

“Beccs?”

“Sorry,” she said. “I just—hang on.” There was a rustling noise in the background, like she was moving. When she came back her voice was lowered. “You just have to tell me,” she said. “Was it good? I bet it was, like, crazy good, right?”

“Rebecca!”

“I’m sorry! I haven’t had single-person sex in years, Ri! And this is Andrew! I mean, it’sAndrew.”

“Yes, I’m aware of that,” I snapped.

“Sorry, sorry. I got carried away thinking about how gorgeous he is. I’ll be better, I promise.”

“I don’t know what to do, Beccs,” I sighed. “I can’t believe he’s blowing me off. I really can’t. I mean, do I seriously mean nothing to him?” The thought was so painful it took my breath away. I actually whimpered.

“You know what, I don’t like this,” she said, her voice disapproving.

“I don’t like it much either,” I said.

“No, not him. You. I don’t like the way you’re acting at all.”

“How amIacting?”

“Like a pathetic little girl who’s sad that the cute boy didn’t call.” She adopted a whiny, baby voice. “Are you sad, Wiley? You want me to come over and tuck you in?”

“Rebecca!”

“What are you doing sitting at home?” she bellowed, and I was powerfully reminded of Rebecca in her track and field days. She had been elected captain of the varsity team as a freshman, which was totally unheard of. But this was why—she could be a major hard-ass when she wanted to be. “He’s acting like an asshole, Riley. Don’t put up with it!”

“Well, what am I supposed to—”

“Gofindhim. This is a tiny little island, you know? He’s got to be around somewhere. Go look!”

“And what do I say when I find him?”

“I cannot even believe you right now. You don’t take any shit! You demand answers!”

Hmm. That did sound more like me than sitting here crying about it. “What if I can’t find him?”

“Then you go sit in Cora’s and have a drink and be your fabulous self.”

“Oh, God,” I muttered. “Have you been watchingSex And The Cityagain?”