Page 8 of Evading Fate

“Oh,” I say, my mind racing. This might be perfect, actually. If he’s going to be out of town, it’s a good time to end things.

“I know it sucks, babe, but I swear, we’ll talk all the time.”

“Well, um, funny you should bring this up because I’ve been thinking that maybe we should take a break. I don’t know. With you leaving, it just seems like a good time to do that.”

Crap. Why did I just suggest we take a break like I have any intention of getting back together with him? He blinks at me in shock and there it is. That awful feeling twisting its way through my gut. All I want to do now is get out of here and go hide out at my apartment.

“What?” he asks, clearly still a little dazed, and I feel like I’m fumbling my way through this.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve been thinking about things and I’m just not sure that this thing is going anywhere so maybe with you leaving, it’s a good time to take a break and think.”

What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I keep calling this break-up a break? He just stares at me, his blue eyes blank as he tries to make sense of this all, and I hate that I can’t even force myself to be more clear with him. “Where is this coming from, Addy?”

Blowing out a breath, I mentally scold myself for not being direct with him. “Look, Kyle, I really like you. I think you’re sweet and so good to me but I’m just not sure that my feelings for you extend past friendship.”

“Oh,” he snaps. He looks away in an attempt to mask his emotions. Oh, God, this feels awful. He clears his throat, grabs his water glass, and takes a drink before setting it back down. “Right. I…um, I should go then. I’ve got lots of packing to do before I leave in the morning.”

“I’m really sorry, Kyle. Truly. It just won’t work out between us.”

His eyes bore into me for a moment before he looks away and nods. Standing, he tosses his napkin and a twenty-dollar bill on the table and turns to leave.

“Good-bye, Addilyn,” he says over his shoulder, and I watch him leave the restaurant, feeling relieved despite the fact that I’m pretty sure I just broke his heart.