Page 90 of Finding My Charming

“Oh no.” The drop in his voice got me to look up. His eyes held the same sadness that I was sure shone in mine. “Those are the words no guy ever wants to hear.”

“Vincent, I’m so sorry.”

“Those are even worse.” He stepped back onto the porch, and I followed. We sat on the two chairs facing the street and were silent. I knew he wasn’t going to say anything. It was all on me.

“Vincent. I’ve had so much fun getting to know you and spending time with you for the past few weeks. I really think you’re incredible. I’ve never known someone so dedicated to anything the way you are.”

“But…?” He interrupted my ramblings with the one thing I couldn’t come up with.

I nodded once and swallowed. “But I don’t think I’m the girl you deserve. I don’t think I could ever fully understand or appreciate your world, and you definitely deserve someone who does.”

“So, this is about soccer? Do I talk about it too much?”

He didn’t look angry, but I could tell my words weren’t translating the way I needed them to.

“No! That’s not it at all. I just don’t know that we have enough in common.”

“To hang out? Things aren’t exactly serious with us. I thought we were just getting to know each other.”

“We are. Or were. I want something more right now.”

“Just not with me?”

I needed to be blunt. This was going horribly wrong, but honesty was what he wanted and what he deserved from me.

“No.”

He turned away and stared down the street. I couldn’t read the expression on his face, but I hoped that we wouldn’t end things hating each other.

“Thanks for telling me now. I wouldn’t have wanted to go any longer with you not being into us.”

I wanted to deny it, but my fear of hurting him shouldn’t stop me from being upfront. “I’m sorry, Vincent.”

“Me too, Elle.”

He rubbed his palms over his pants a few times before standing and facing me again. He held out his hand and helped me stand up. “I’m going to miss you. I hope whoever he is knows how great you are.”

I didn’t have a chance to respond before he pulled me into a tight hug. I was in shock but wrapped my arms around his waist for the last time. He knew. With everything I didn’t say, he knew there was someone else. That fact shattered me even more.

He finally stepped back and looked into my eyes. “Bye, Elle.”

“Bye, Vincent.” He turned and walked back to his car. I stood frozen on my porch while he pulled away from my house and disappeared around a corner.

Just like that. Vincent was no longer in my life. Part of me should have been relieved that it was done, but I only felt guilt and sorrow.

While I was watching the place I’d last seen his car, my mom pulled into the driveway and got out. I knew she was there and heard her walking toward me, but I couldn’t make myself turn.

“Elise? Honey, what are you doing?” She placed her arm over my shoulders and pulled me into her. “What happened?”

Even though I had been the one to end things, it still hurt. I knew if I opened my mouth to say one word, the dam inside me would break and let the tears I was barely holding back flow and probably never stop.

Mom led me silently into the house and set me on my favorite stool. Without words, she poured me a glass of orange juice and placed a box of tissues next to me. She knew what was coming and — like the wonderful mother she was — had backup ready.

She stood across the counter and bent forward to rest on her elbows. “Tell me, honey. What happened?”

I finally met her worried eyes and felt bad that I was worrying her. I’d already ruined one person’s day. I didn’t want to make it two.

“I ended things with Vincent.”