Page 169 of Be My First

“I think talking with someone would be a good idea.” He pauses. “You seem really depressed. You’re not eating. You’re sleeping a lot. You haven’t been off the couch in days. I’m really worried.”

I drag my hands over my face. He’s right. I’ve got to get up.

“Is it your injuries? Maybe you should see a doctor?” he continues.

I stand up. “No. I’m just a little sore, but mostly healed. I’ll go shower.”

He nods and just watches me leave the room.

When I return downstairs, he has dinner set out on the kitchen table. “Come eat with me.”

I don’t feel like eating, but he’s right – I have to snap out of this.

He spoons some food onto two plates and slides one in front of me. I poke at it a bit.

“Seriously, Bo. You’re worrying me.”

I set my fork down. “It’s not the stabbing.”

He stops eating. “Okay. What’s wrong then?”

I look down. “A girl.”

“Oh.”

I scratch the back of my head. Heartbreak – it’s leveled me.

“I didn’t know you were seeing anyone,” he says.

“I’m not.” I’m still looking down at my plate.

“Oh.”

I finally look up at him. “She’s the one that got away.”

“Shit.”

I lean back in my seat. “I’ve known her for years. Cared about her for years.”

“Does she know this?”

I nod. “But I messed up with her. She’s furious with me.”

“Did you like cheat on her or something?”

I shake my head. “No. Nothing like that. I just didn’t respect her opinions in the way that I should have. I made assumptions. I thought I knew what was best for us – for her.”

He rubs his chin. “Well, that doesn’t sound awful. I bet you could fix this. Is she worth it?”

For a split second, I nearly confess everything to him, but instead I say, “Yes. She’s more than worth it.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “Shit. You have to try to fix it then.”

“You think?”

“Yeah. Does she live around here?”

“No.”