“No,” I said. “It’s not that. It was just too comfortable. I need to challenge myself, and you hate seeing me miserable.”
“You shouldn’t have to be.”
“But I grow when I am. The first couple of days here were hard, I’ll give you that. But there are less people here, and the ones who are here are kind and understanding. That’s what I need right now. And to have my own place.”
“But I liked having you with us.”
“Our friendship isn’t over. We have ways we can talk now.”
Joey sighed, his shoulders slumping. “It’s not the same.”
“One day, I’ll come visit. I’m getting better, but you have to let me.”
“It’s not like I’m stopping you.”
“But the negativity is.”
Joey frowned and didn’t answer. Mitch elbowed him. “She’s right.”
“Fine,” he muttered. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good. Now can we go? I do think both of you will like the library.” And I needed to move. I wasn’t sure why, but being this firm with Joey was terrifying.
“Yeah,” he said with a nod. “Let’s go.”
I let out a sigh of relief.
I led them downstairs and into the alleyway. I could feel their eyes on me as we stepped out onto the sidewalk. It never felt great to be out of the house, but the sights helped distract me from what had happened with Theo.
“We should try to make time to shop at the farmers market,” Joey said, eyeing all the booths. “I bet Piper would like some of the things there.”
“I do like the things there. I actually went to the last one.”
“What?” Joey asked. “You did?”
“I went with a friend at the end of it. There weren’t as many people.”
“What friend?” His voice was harsher, which made me stop.
“Can I not have friends here?” I asked.
“No, you can!” Mitch rushed to say. “It’s good.”
“Y-yeah, sorry.” Joey shook himself out of his frustration and I made myself take a deep breath. “I’m glad you went.”
“Good. You guys would like it.” I turned and led them to the library, still determined to keep myself together for the day.
I pointedly didn’t look at The Reserved Bean. If I did, I knew I would think of Theo and my face would turn red, leading to far too many questions.
“Holy shit,” Mitch said under his breath. “This is huge.”
“Well, thank you,” a voice said from the desk. “Not every town is blessed with big things.”
“Hi, Marjorie,” I said with a laugh.
“Back again?” she asked. “You have boyfriends this time.”
“No.” Joey said it immediately. “Not boyfriends.”
