Page 55 of The Has-Been

I think I’m taking too much after the man who gave her that nickname, keeping people at arm’s length because you’re afraid of getting hurt—that shit is straight out of Morgan Reid’s playbook.

Sad, that I’ve stooped to his level.

My best friend and I are leaving practice the following Thursday night when I begin another venting session. Typically, I would feel bad for bringing him into my drama, but the more I talk to him, the more I’m starting to wonder if Reid knows Aubrey better than I do.

“If you had told me at the beginning of the semester that I was going to make Aubrey hate me more than she already did, I would have laughed in your face. But, no—I’m a fucking dumbass who’s trying to keep her away for her own good by making her hate my guts even more.”

Reid snorts, but I continue.

“I’m practically sleeping with one eye open, waiting for Rory Vaughn to come into my room one night and slit my throat.”

He side-eyes me before climbing into the driver’s seat of his truck. I toss my bag into the backseat before pulling on my seatbelt.

“I think Reese is the one you need to be worried about.”

“Reese wouldn’t hurt a fly. Just because you’re scared of her—doesn’t mean I am.” I say, waving him off.

Reid scoffs as he throws his truck in reverse. “I don’t know why everyone paints her like an angel. She’s a fucking ballbuster.”

“Toward you, maybe...not to everyone else.” I briefly consider why exactly that is, but don’t think much into it—the two are opposites, and Reid is kind of an ass to everyone at first.

He goes silent before he adds, “Yeah, well, it’s always the quiet ones you have to keep an eye on. They are good at keeping secrets.”

He raises his brows, refusing to make eye contact with me as he flips me off.

“And for the record,” he grumbles between drinks of his water, “You and Aubrey don’t hate one another. You hurt each other...but it’s never been hateful.” It’s quiet for a few moments. Then he says, “But—don’t you think it’s kind of hot? Her being mad at you? That’d totally get me hard.”

I snort. “You’re fucked up, man.” I joke. But then I crane my head, “You know…for someone who prides himself as the emotionless one, you’re sure acting like you know a lot about them.”

He shrugs as he turns on the main highway leading to our apartment. I continue with my venting session, “God, she’s fucking bossy too—telling me to do this and do that. She can’t fucking look me in the eyes, yet has no issue telling me what to do. And I swear, if she doesn’t stop saying please and thank you before and after every sentence, I’m going to lose my fucking mind, dude.”

“Okay, but aren’t you the one who wanted that?” he observes, side-eyeing me. “She was trying to be your friend until you went all asshole on her.”

“Would you want to be ‘friends’ with your ex?” I argue.

It’s quiet for a second as he thinks it over and then⁠—

“I’d have to have an ex—so I’ve got no reason to worry.”

I guess he’s got me there. Maybe I should’ve stayed in the playboy mindset—it would’ve saved me a lot of trouble.

But then again, sometimes I feel sorry for my friends—that neither of them will ever have anyone, never open themselves up enough for someone, other than me, to get to know them.

A real shame if you ask me.

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, but anyone who tries that whole ‘Let’s be friends!’ thing is full of shit. She and I can never be friends.”

“Now that,” Reid grumbles, pointing a finger at me before turning up the radio, “I can agree with.”

We’re quiet for a few minutes, Reid singing along to Taylor Swift’s “So It Goes”.

How could anyone not fall in love with this guy? He’s a fucking softie.

“Look,” he starts after a minute. “You both went through some tough shit and hurt each other in the process. That’s going to take some time to get over. I agree that the friend thing will never work, but—” He glances at me. “Pretending to hate her...to say shit you don’t mean…to keep her away because you’re afraid of hurting her again…that’s low man—you’re starting to act like...” He scratches the back of his neck.

“Like you?” I finish with a chuckle. “I’m starting to act like you.” Reid nods but snaps his mouth closed as I begin, my mind replaying his words. “Woah! Woah—wait a minute...” I say my voice trailing off.

I think over my best friend’s words again.