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“It takes an hour to get to Troy’s place?”
“On the bus, yeah. I have to transfer three times. That’s why I usually stay at Troy’s for the night rather than come back here.” She points to her shirt. “I worked last night. That’s why I’m still wearing my work shirt. I forgot to bring a shirt to change into.”
“You don’t keep stuff at Troy’s place?”
“No, he doesn’t want me to.”
“How long have you guys dated?”
“About three months.”
Three months, and he won’t let her leave clothes at his place? To me, that says he’s either not serious about her or he’s seeing other girls. Knowing Troy, it’s probably both.
“You want something to drink?” Tara opens the fridge. “I guess we don’t have anything other than water.”
“That’s fine.”
She fills a glass from the sink and hands it to me. Our hands brush and I feel that spark again, like I did earlier. I don’t know why that’s happening, but it needs to stop. That never happened with Haley.
“I should get going,” I say, remembering I told the guys I’d be going back there.
“Bring the pizza,” Tara says. “Unless you don’t want it smelling up your car.”
“I don’t care. But are you sure you don’t want it for yourself?”
“I can get more. And honestly, after being around it all day, I don’t really like eating it. I do, because it’s free, but sometimes I really want something else, like a burger and fries.”
“Maybe we’ll do that tomorrow. I’ll take you for lunch. It’s on me.”
“Jake, no. I didn’t mean you had to—”
“I know you didn’t. But I’d like to. And I owe you for the pizza.”
“It was free.”
“Then I owe you for hanging out with me when I’m feeling like shit after being dumped.”
She frowns. “I’m really sorry that happened.”
I shrug. “Maybe it was meant to be. Who knows?” I check the time. “I should go. And you have to get to work. Hey, do you need a ride?”
“No. It’s down the street. I’ll just walk there. And I need to shower before I go. Oh, let me give you my number in case you need to cancel tomorrow.”
I put her number in my phone, but know I won’t be cancelling on her. I’m already looking forward to seeing her again.
“Thanks again for the ride,” she says as she walks me to the door.
“Sure, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As I leave her apartment, I wonder if I should tell Troy that I’m spending tomorrow with his girlfriend. I think he’d be okay with it, but you never know with him. Even the smallest thing can set him off.
Maybe this was a mistake. I probably shouldn’t have made plans with Tara, but I’m not going to cancel on her now. And I’m not going to hide this from Troy. Hiding it would mean I’m doing something wrong, like trying to get with his girl. And that’s not what I’m doing. Tara and I are just two friends hanging out.
7
DEAN
I’ve been worriedabout Jake all morning. He loved Haley and really thought she was the one. It reminds me of when I lost Brook. For the short time we broke up in high school, it was hell for me. I’d fallen in love with her and couldn’t imagine being without her. I’m sure Jake’s feeling the same way about Haley.
