Page 35 of On the Breakaway

“This is why we’re friends.” I smile. “But I’ve had enough of her ruining my night. Take my mind off it.”

The waitress appears as if I’d magically summoned her, so I order another margarita.

“And tequila shots,” Wesley adds before I can stop her.

“It’s Tuesday. We have training tomorrow.”

“Correct.” Wesley purses her lips. “But I’m trying to work on my balance. I have to if I want Nathan to take me back. And today, balance means tequila shots because my best friend’s parents are emotionally terrorizing her. Also, I don’t care if you are the only child; you are too nice to them.”

“Says the girl who, until recently, put herself last for the sake of her family.”

Wesley lifts her drink dramatically. “Touche.”

I know Wesley worries about me, but I spent an entire childhood playing emotional referee between two people who should’ve gone to therapy instead of having a child together, so a two-hour dinner dodging snide comments about my dad and questions about Damon was par for the course.

Despite my attempts to tell her the truth about Damon, my mom ignored every red flag and reminded me that one day I’d realize how good I had it. I guess I missed the memo where slamming doors and breaking dishes were good things.

Hell, everyone missed it. Damon was charming in public, while privately he chipped away at me piece by piece until I barely recognized myself.

Now, I fake confidence the same way he faked kindness, flirting with strangers and showing up in tight jeans when none of it feels like me anymore.

No one knows how every attempt at intimacy feels rehearsed instead of real.

Well, almost every attempt.

Becca’s birthday a couple of weeks ago was the one exception, and I’m still trying hard to forget it. Forget the way Grayson’s grip on my wrist felt and the way my skin buzzed under his touch.

Wesley reaches across the table, nudging my hand lightly with hers. “Where’d you go just now?”

I look down at my hands before huffing softly. “Nowhere.”

She gives me a pointed look.

My hands raise in surrender. “I’ve had enough sharing tonight. You’re supposed to be making me forget about it.”

“Fine. Consider yourself off the hook.” She points at me. “For now.”

“So, has anything changed on the Nathan front since last week?” I ask, hoping she’ll take the bait to change the topic.

“You mean since I moped over half-watched movies and copious amounts of ice cream? We’re still talking. Taking it slow, I guess.”

My eyes roll involuntarily. “Sure, whatever, but I have a hundred dollars on you guys being official by the end of the month.”

Her eyes widen. “You’re betting on me?”

“It’s just with Liam. And absolutely I am.” I take a sip from my glass.

“Aves!” Wesley slaps my arm, but I just laugh.

Nathan broke his collarbone after a nasty hit a week and a half ago. It wasn’t career-ending, but it was enough to make Wesley realize she’d been fighting her feelings for him for too long.

Now they’re ‘taking it slow,’ which everyone except the two of them knows is complete bullshit.

I shrug. “That’s just what friendship is. Emotional honesty. Vulnerability. Mild bullying.”

“I would jump back in now if he’d let me.” She sighs. “Men are exhausting.”

“You know,” I mutter, “maybe we should move into a giant house together and give up on men entirely.”