Page 222 of While You Were Trending

“Am I supposed to forgive you because you were a fuckup?” Alex finally says. “Is that what this is?”

Flow growls.

Snarls, actually.

“Yes,” Ginny says. “That’s exactly what this is. You’re supposed to forgive me for being a bad girlfriend. The same way I forgive you for being a shitty boyfriend. Because agoodboyfriend wouldn’t have taken everything I did for you for granted. Agoodboyfriend would’ve looked at who I was and where I was coming from and why I did the things I did and dug deeper. But you never did. Because I made your life easy. AndI take full responsibility for doing this to myself, but you don’t deserve Declan if you can’t take full responsibility for your own actions and inactions too.”

Silence rings loud on the other end of the phone.

My vision blurs.

My parents are rock stars. My brother is my biggest hype man.

Always neck and neck with Alex.

Whose friendship I’m risking by dating Ginny.

But Ginny’sGinny.

And she’s more.

Stronger and braver and bigger-hearted than I give her credit for, and I give her alotof credit.

Having my back.

Doing the work to lay boundaries but also build bridges.

So that I can keep my friend.

“I…noticed how much you did…after you were gone,” Alex says.

“Are you happy?” Ginny asks softly.

“I…am.”

“Married?”

“Yes.”

“Kids?”

“One. Little girl. She’s—she’s eleven months.”

“Congratulations. I’m glad you’re happy. You deserve it.”

“Even though I was a shitty boyfriend?”

“I share the blame there in not asking for more. But you were always good to me, and I always appreciated that.”

Alex is quiet again for a minute.

Then—“Foxy?”

I swipe my eyes. “Yeah.”

“I’m gonna kick your ass on the ice next week.”

“Not playing,” I tell him.