Page 35 of Buzzer Beater

“Looks like you’ve got a date tonight.”

“He didn’t even sign his name. I could pretend not to know and deny him.”

She slapped my leg and sat down next to me. “We all know who it’s from, Lucy, so don’t try using that excuse.”

I threw my arm over my eyes and groaned. “I don’t want to, Elena.”

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Is not an answer.”

I groaned again.

“Come on. We both know I’m not going anywhere until I have the answers I want.”

I fought the urge to stick my tongue out at her. She’d probably grab it and hold until I told her everything.

“He hurt me,” I said.

“I know.”

“I don’t want to get hurt again.”

I felt movement and looked over to see her lying next to me, watching. “This is different. You’re not in a relationship. You’re not at risk for anything. You two can just talk.”

“I don’t want to talk.”

She blinked and waited. “I know. No one can force you to go, but I really think it would help you. I think you need closure.”

I looked up at the ceiling. That was one thing I didn’t get when everything happened. I didn’t give Colin the chance to tell me why. I didn’t want to hear it. I knew enough to know he’d cheated, and I wasn’t willing to see what else would happen. I didn’t want to wait around for him to leave me. I wanted to end it before it could get worse. Before I felt for him even more. I didn’t want to forgive him, because then I would fall again. The heartbreak would be even worse the next time, and I didn’t think I’d survive it.

I shook my head against my pillow. “I just don’t know why.”

It was a loaded statement. I didn’t know why he wanted to have dinner. I didn’t know why we’d run into each other. I didn’t know why we were both still single. I didn’t know why my heart exploded the first time I saw him again. I didn’t know why he cheated.

Elena nudged me with her elbow. “There’s only one way to get the answer.”

I stared at the ceiling. “I have to go?”

She nodded.

I closed my eyes. Could I do this? Could I face him?

“You can do it on your terms,” Elena said. “Meet where you want to, stay as long as you want, only talk about what you’re comfortable with.”

I opened my eyes. “How?”

She smiled. “I’ll make sure.”

I blew out a long breath. “Okay.”

She sat up. “Really?”

I nodded slowly.

“Okay, I’ll take care of everything. You just relax, and we’ll get you ready later.”