Page 98 of Never Not Friends

No missed texts, saying he’s on his way.

8:19.

Maybe Kayleen is feeling chatty tonight.

8:41.

I go to the window.

His car is still there.

My excuses are running out.

That’s when the ache starts up.

Old.

Familiar.

Crushing.

I haven’t felt it this sharply in years, but it comes back with a vengeance.

So does the memory of dozens of nights like this, looking at the window or coming home late and seeing Vinny’s car next door.

I can’t believe it’s happening again.

I feel fifteen again. Like the girl waiting for Vinny to choose me. And it dawns on me: Vinny’s never asked me to wait. I’ve done that all on my own. I’ve spent years gathering evidence that we belong together, that we’d eventually find our way back to each other.

Instead, he found his way back to Juliet.

Like he’s always done.

The sting of rejection burns in my chest.

I can’t do this anymore.

I can’t be just the girl next door, waiting for him to see me, choose me, want me.

Something inside me hardens.

Maybe it’s pride.

Maybe it’s self-preservation.

Whatever it is, I latch onto it.

I grab my phone, thumbs moving fast before I lose my nerve.

Emma:

Hey. Something came up, and I’m actually not around tonight. I got busy and forgot to text you earlier. Glad you made it home. I’m sure I’ll see you around sometime.

I read it once.

It sounds cold and indifferent. Nothing like how I wanted tonight to go.

But he went to Juliet’s house first.