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“Well, I did a bad to the bone thing.”
“Really?”
“I should have listened to you about Brett. I’m sure you heard we broke up…” I’m ‘chomping at the bit’ level of excited to tell her the rest of the story.
She nods and grimaces. “Yep, and Aria happened to come into the diner the day after Brett’s accident.” She puts air quotes on the word. “Aria might need to revisit her HIPPA rules because she said they think someone hit him. Based on that grin you’re wearing, I’m going to ask something really crazy. Was it you?”
My grin grows and I nod.
“Wow, I’m sorry he made you that mad. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“I didn’t either until I caught him screwing someone else.”
Calli’s mouth falls open. “But…he didn’t want to…seriously?”
“I don’t get it. But I’m really lucky Brett was so discreet at the hospital.” My voice drips with false sincerity.
Calli laughs. “He’s not about to admit he got punched by a girl.”
“It’s okay, just this morning my dad wrote a letter of recommendation for Brett so he’ll continue to keep quiet. But Brett only thinks he won. My dad’s so career oriented he’s blind to why I would do something like that. It would do him good to relax a little. Get laid.” My joke falls flat.
Calli looks nervous. “That has to sting.” She seems to shrink. “You know I love you, right.”
I cup my hand over hers. “It’s all good. Not like I’m used to being my dad’s priority or anything. I don’t know what he does with all of his time. It really can’t be healthy to work as much as he does.”
“He comes in here once in a while with friends. He’s not all work. I don’t think he’s a bad person, just doesn’t know how to be a good dad.”
I shrug. “You were right about Brett. You’re probably right about my dad too. Moving back home was supposed to be a chance where my dad could see me as an adult and we could try again, but other than free rent, he doesn’t offer a lot.”
“Will it be hard seeing Brett when he comes back home? Since you’re right next door?”
“That’s where things get tricky.”
“How so?”
Time to bask in my discomfort. But also to make this real. Everything’s more real when I share it with Calli. “Have you considered dating an older guy?”
The color drains from her face. “What?”
“It’s crazy right, but think about it. They have their shit together. They have a steady job…”
She holds her hand up. “What does this have to do with me?”
“Don’t be so nervous, silly. I’m not saying you should date an older guy… I want to. Jayce and I have a thing. And to make it even better. His friend is in on it.”
“Jayce, as in Brett’s dad?”
I nod. “Date might be a stretch, but I think there’s something between us.”
“Hold on… His friend? What do you know about him?”
“Not even his name.” My exhilaration is quickly tamped down by Calli’s lack thereof.
“Seriously, Madi?”
“I switched to Madison.”
“Okay, Madison. You barely broke up with Brett a week ago. Are you sure it’s not revenge?”
