Nico reaches out again but I move back. “Did he do something to you? I’ve never seen you act this way.”
I shake my head. “Answer my question.”
“Yes, I let you believe he did because I wanted to get between you two. I wanted you to want me again.”
“That’s fucked up, Nico.”
He sighs, running his hand through his hair. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“You and I are never going to be together again. I need you to understand that.”
“Shit, Dani. I know. I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass all semester. I was just hoping you’d finally give in, but I can see you’re happy with this kid…or at least I thought you were.” He reaches out to wipe the last of the tears from my cheeks but I move out of his grasp, wiping my face myself.
“Even if I wasn’t with Arden, you and I would not be together. You hurt me in inconceivable ways and I will never give you or anyone else a chance to do that again.”
Nico nods in understanding and I have to give him some credit for not pushing the matter further. Maybe he is actually maturing. Either way, this conversation feels like the exact closing I needed to this chapter with him and, while that feels good, it doesn’t change the fact that my relationship with Arden is still in shambles.
Instead of attempting retail therapy, I find myself getting in my car and driving to Boston, which might’ve been a little bit rash but it was the only thing I could think to do.
All I want is my best friend.
Luckily, she’s only a two hour drive away and I’ve done enough work this week to blow off a class or two tomorrow.
Margot greets me with a glass of wine and it takes everything I have not fall apart right then and there. Alex has made himself scarce, which is nice but honestly unnecessary. It actually might’ve been better to get a man’s perspective on this.
“So, what happened?” Margot asks, cutting immediately to the chase, as she does.
“Arden and I had a fight.”
She sips her drink, regarding me coolly. “What about?”
I sigh. “I don’t even know at this point. We’re fighting like we’re a couple. We fuck like we’re a couple. The only difference is, we aren’t a couple. And…”
Margot’s wine glass stops halfway to her mouth.
“And he’s dating someone, Margot!”
She finishes her sip. “He said that?”
“Yes!”
“He said he was dating someone?”
“Well…no. He said he wasseeingsomeone. But that’s like the same thing.”
“What twenty-six year old man says he’sseeingsomeone?”
“I don’t understand.”
“He isseeingsomeone, Danika. He’sseeinga therapist.”
For a moment, I’m stunned into silence. Then, “he’s dating a therapist?”
Margot rolls her eyes. I put the glass on the table and curl my feet underneath my legs.
“What is he seeing a therapist for?”
Margot hesitates. This is a sensitive topic that I should be talking to Arden about, but the fact that he never told me in the first place gives me the impression that he’s not going to. So, Margot is my only source of information and based on the expression on her face, she’s realizing that at the same time as I am.