“I was thinking he couldn’t get it up.”
I wanted to keep it together. There was something comforting about being the one that they barely liked. I didn’t want them to see the reasons for how I was.
But I was also so fucking tired of being seen as something I wasn’t.
“If you guyshaveto know, and I’m sure you do, I’m an idiot who didn’t process all his shit before asking out his dream woman, and I realized my dad’s death is half of the reason I didn’t date because I’m terrified of losing someone I love again. She woke up alone and is thinking God knows what, and I need to explain myself. There, you happy?”
Both men’s jaws were on the sidewalk. My chest was heaving and I tried to shake it off, but I hated talking about this. I hated telling anyoneanything.
But that was how I got here, wasn’t it?
“So, itwasdaddy issues!” someone exclaimed. I knew that fucking voice.
I turned to see her smiling so wide I would have thought she’d won the lottery.
“Of course you heard that, Kerry.”
“He said daddy issues were only half, Kerry,” Mark said as he crossed his arms.
Was I cursed? Had I stepped on a butterfly as a child to get here?
“Yeah, woohoo, let’s all celebrate my daddy issues. Or how about we benormal?”
Kerry laughed. “We’re never normal. That’s the best part of us!”
I wanted to strangle something. Maybe someone. “Great.”
“But to be fair, I’m sorry your dad died. That should have been the first thing I said, but it’s unfortunately the second.”
“Was it cancer?” Mark asked.
“My money’s on drunk drivers.” Hugh scowled. “They drive as bad as I do sober. There can only be one of us on the road at a time.”
These fuckingpeople. “He was a firefighter. He died in an electrical fire when he went back in to check for more people.”
For once, they were all silent.
“Oh, so that’s why—” Kerry covered her mouth. All joy was gone from her voice. “When was it?”
“I was ten.”
“Jesus,” Mark muttered.
“So, you all know my life story and soon everyone will. Great. Can I go now, or do you have more questions?”
“I always have questions,” Kerry said. “Where are you going?”
“Back to Grace’s. I’ll wait for her there.” I was turning to go to my truck, but she stopped me.
“Big mistake. Do you know why I’m so weird about gossip?”
“Because you’re bored.”
“No,” she immediately said, but then paused. “Well, yes, but I also hate not knowing things.”
“And you yap a lot,” Hugh said, rolling his eyes. “Don’t you ever get tired of hearing your own voice?”
Kerry glared. “Shut it. I’m trying to have a moment here and you’re ruining it!”