Page 104 of Fake it For Good
“Don’t go anywhere,” he said in a low voice just as he was pulled away.
“That’s a good one,” Mrs. Drummond said. “I like him. Where’s your ring?”
I looked down at my hand. I had left the ring at home. I wanted to throw it at him. It would have been far more effective to do it at the party, but I had been so pissed, I didn’t even think about it.
“Oh, I don’t wear it all the time,” I replied. That was the truth. I only wore it when I was going to be with him. I had not planned on seeing him ever again.
“Have you guys set a date?” she asked.
“No.”
“I’m happy for you, and I wish you all the happiness you deserve,” she said with a smile. “I’m so proud of you. I like to think I can take just a little credit for how well you turned out. I know that it was all you but I’m glad I got to know the little girl that blossomed into the beautiful woman you are today.”
“Mrs. Drummond, you had everything to do with who I am today.”
37
CANE
“Alright, Benji,” I said and lifted him out of my lap. My legs had gone numb. “I have to go.”
“Are you going to come back?” he asked me.
I didn’t know how to answer that. “I hope so.”
He threw his arms around my waist and hugged me tight. “Please come back.”
I patted his head. “I’ll be here.”
Noelle was waiting by the door. “Ready?” I asked her.
“I’m ready,” she said with zero enthusiasm.
“Can we go to my place?” I asked once we got in the car.
“No.”
“Will you let me into your place?” I asked.
“Nope.”
I smirked. “Okay, then I guess we’ll just have to talk right here.”
“You can talk while you drive me home,” she said while staring straight ahead.
“You’re pretty pissed at me, huh?”
“I am,” she replied. “Does that surprise you?”
“No, I suppose not. It’s why I needed to talk to you. I have completely screwed up. I won’t even try to come up with an excuse. I was an asshole.”
“If you’re expecting me to argue with you, it’s not going to happen,” she said. “You were an asshole. You might evenbean asshole. You’re not the man I thought you were.”
“I am the man you thought I was,” I said. “I tripped. I blinked. I panicked a little. I guess I’m not quite as over the damage Kelly caused. I know you weren’t using me. That was a dick thing to say. You are not capable of using anyone. You give so much of yourself.”
“You’re right,” she said. “I wasn’t using you. I told you that. You refused to believe me.”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t believe you,” I said. “I did.”
