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With a choked voice, I say, “Congratulations. I guess you were the best, after all.” I run out with Dean at my heels.
“Cat! Don’t be like this,” he implores.
“Kid, take me home,” I order Reese.
She hops in the car and starts it, but before I can get in, Dean pins me against the car. The hot metal burns my skin and I’m forced closer to him.
“Cat. You’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I? I’ve fought so hard for this just so that you could take it away from me.”
“Take it away from you? I’ve fought for this, too, just as much as you have. Now I’m sorry if you made a poor decision last night, but that is not my fault. Please… I want to share this with you.”
Looking away, I say, “Well I’m sorry, but I can’t. Now please, move.”
“Cat, you’re being childish.” It’s really hard not to pout at the name. In fact, I can’t stop myself. He sighs. “Why can’t you be happy for me? Celebrate with me. I want you by my side.”
My eyes roll before they look into his face. “I told you when we met, Coop. I don’t date babies.”
Dean’s lips pull in a straight line, his eyes hardening on me. “You know what? I don’t either.” He walks away, but stops after only a few steps. “Life’s short, Catherine. I suggest you grow up before it’s over.” With that, he leaves me.
I fall into the car limply. “Take me…” I can barely get the words out through my sobs.
“What about aunt Liz and Sher?” she asks, but is already backing the Mustang out of the space.
“Winn can take them. Hurry, Reese. I can’t be here anymore.”
She drives faster than I’ve ever known her to do, worried in a way that brings back a terrible memory, of a day almost twenty-three years ago when my sister rushed me away. I’d held onto Reese then, and made a promise to make her proud of me.
Today, I failed.
