Page 167 of You + Me – Against the World

Come back.

Why?

Fuck, Alma…

“Not even a quick, scribbled message I can give her when I meet up with her?” Clémentine murmurs.

“I don’t think so. It’s better this way.”

My stomach twists, my chest aches, and there’s a burning sensation in my temples. It’s getting harder to hide how much I miss her.

“Okay, I understand. Bye then, you guys. I’m not going to hug you, but you know, the sentiment is there. Well, maybe not for you, Alonso!”

“Come on, get over here, Clemy. I know you’re dying to!”

Felix approaches her, arms wide open and the smile of a wannabe player on his lips. Grimacing, Clémentine dodges him at first. Then she lets him hug her, patting his back with her fingertips as they embrace.

What I wouldn’t give to have Alma in my arms…

“Bye, Clem. Take care of yourself,” I say, pushing the thought aside. “And thanks for coming.”

“No problem. You know she would have been here too, if she could have…”

Is Clémentine ever going to stop twisting the knife?

And defending Alma at every turn, after what she did to me?

“Right, shall we go, Fe?”

“Let’s go. No daddy’s girl, no problems, no lawyers! Just like before.”

He read my mind…

Except that, before, it was You + Me.

And fuck, did I love that…

***

In the car, on the way back, I stare out my window so Felix won’t see me falling apart.

I can’t breathe.

I miss her.

“Do you mind if I make a move on Cheyenne? She’s seriously hot!” my buddy blurts out, breaking the silence.

“Do what you want, Fe. As long as she’s okay with it.”

I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but if he wants to try…

“Can you drop me off at my place, man?”

“Are you kidding, Vadim? We’re going out to celebrate!”

“We will, but right now, I just want to be alone. Just to get my head straight, you know?”

“It’s because of the letter, huh? It’s burning a hole in your pocket?”