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“Peace,” I heard myself say. “I want peace, I want tranquility—I really want to get some damn sleep—so I colored it green to manifest that kind of energy in my life. Now tell me why you want me to run.”
We were at the bottom of the road and took a right toward Main Street, which was farther than I’d run last time.
“Dylan,” he said, picking up speed, desperate to keep me jogging.
I pushed myself to keep up. “What about her?”
“You asked why I was helping you. I’m doing it because of Dylan. She missed you. Bed rest has been brutal on her. You know she can’t stay still. Used to pull doubles at Descartes, then go partying into the night in Portland before the pregnancy. Ever since you came back, she’s been smiling more. It’s like a part of her that died has been resurrected.”
“I missed her a lot too.” I pressed my lips together. “Is that the only reason you’re helping me?”
“Isn’t it enough?”
“It is. I’m just wondering if there’s something else.”
“No,” he harrumphed. “Wait, yes. Now I remember—I also want to fuck you again.”
I tripped over my own feet, about to dive into the ground. He caught me by the hem of my shirt, jerking me upright.
I’ll always catch you. When have I ever let you take the hit for something, Dot?
“You did not just say that.” I slapped branches out of my way as I regained my balance.
“Did too. Fair warning—I want much more than fucking this time around. I want dates. I want laughs. I want you to be honest with me. All the stuff that freaks you out for some reason. No strings attached. No commitment. Just fun. A perfect do-over.”
“Why do you need a do-over?”
“So my last memory of us won’t be you almost vomiting because we had sex.”
“I almost vomited because your sister caught us!” I shrieked. “Which is exactly why this won’t happen again. You’re high if you think I’m betraying her trust a second time around.”
“Thought you’d say that. I have great news for you.”
“What?”
“She no longer gives a fuck.”
“That’s not tru—”
“It is. Ask her yourself.”
The confidence with which he’d said that made my heart twist like Play-Doh. What had changed between then and now? Why was she okay with us hooking up all of a sudden?
“Why wouldn’t she care?” I asked in a panic.
“Because it no longer matters.”
“How c—”
“Come on, Bitchy. Put two and two together.”
Bitchy.
He’d called me Bitchy.
The rain intensified, knocking on our faces. I skidded to an abrupt stop. A wave of memories crashed into me all at once, nearly knocking me down on my ass. Everything became crystal clear in one swift moment.
Row defending me when Dylan caught us having sex.
