Page 58 of Trick Play

Things must really be bad if we had to switch roles.

If I was lying here, contemplating whether or not I should date anyone else in the world, even if there was a stupid timer already set, she would be dancing around the apartment, coming up with a dozen outfit options to wear on our first date.

But this wasn’t anyone. It was Ethan.

The boy that broke my heart. The man who had the potential to do it again.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Whoever said it was better to have loved and lost than never know love obviously never reconnected with their ex.

It was so much harder knowing how good things could be, but also how horrible the ending was.

“I need to get this project over and done with so I can move on. We won’t have another reason to see or speak to each other after that.”

“Good, yes. Do that.”

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and sent him a text.

Kennedy: Can you go to Pittsburgh this Saturday?

He was probably in class or at practice, so I tucked my phone under a throw pillow and pushed away the thought.

“Are you planning on going home for the break?”

Lauren was from Columbus, so it wasn’t a far drive.

“No, my parents are taking my little sister on a cruise,” she pouted.

“Well, that sounds amazing. Why aren’t they taking you?”

“Because I have classes on Tuesday, and it leaves on Monday. They didn't want me missing even two days.”

“But you’re almost done. I don’t think two days will keep you from graduation.”

“I know!” She sat up. “I told them that, but my dad was all huffy, saying that’s not how future employers will think. I said if I was working somewhere, I could have requested the time off, but evidently, they don’t love me as much as Trisha.”

“Well, she’s the baby and has to live alone.” I repeated their reasoning for spoiling her sister.

“I’m the one who should be compensated with vacations. I was the experimental child. Everything they learned came from the mistakes they made with me.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped. “That’s the downside of being the oldest.”

“Ugh, you don’t get it. You’re the youngest too.”

“And I doubt my parents will care when I tell them I’m not coming home.”

Her eyes lit up. “You’re not?”

“No, Whit isn’t going, and I don’t think I can survive the club alone.”

She shuddered. She’d come home enough with me over the past four years to know exactly what I meant. She hated that place as much as I did.

“I can’t imagine spending another holiday there.”

“Me either, which is why I’m going to say I’m too busy to leave.” Showing how dedicated I was to my homework and studies would appease my dad. I’d have to remind my mom she’d be seeing me soon at graduation so she didn’t feel too bad.

“This is great. What should we do? Have our own little Thanksgiving meal? Order in? Go out?”