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If she’d said all that a few weeks ago, we’d probably be back together. But now, everything’s changed. I’ve realized Haley and I were never right for each other. Our relationship was all one-sided. I did everything for her, but she did nothing for me. I was always giving and she was always taking. Even when she gave me a gift, like for my birthday, it’d be something she wanted, not me, like concert tickets to see a band she liked. I went along with it because I loved her and because it’s all I knew. She was my first serious relationship.
“Haley, it’s over. We’re not getting back together.”
“What do you mean?” she says, like she’s in total shock I didn’t just agree to it like I used to do whenever she wanted something. “It’s not over. I told you, I made a mistake. You’re all I want, and I know we can make this work. I talked to my parents and they said they’d get me a plane ticket to come see you. I was thinking maybe later this month.”
“Haley, no. You can’t come here. It’s over. I don’t want to get back together.”
“But… but why?” Her voice cracks and she starts crying, but I don’t know if it’s real or fake. When we dated, she’d sometimes fake cry to get her way. “Don’t you love me?”
“I care about you. I always will. But I don’t love you. I’m sorry, Haley. I know that hurts, but I don’t want you thinking there’s any chance we’re getting back together.”
“Jake, we dated for almost three years. How can you just give up on us?”
“I didn’t. You did. And you can’t just come back and expect me to be sitting here, waiting for you. It doesn’t work that way.”
“What are you saying?” She sniffles. “Is there someone else?”
“It doesn’t matter. The point is, I’ve moved on. When you broke up with me, I thought about our relationship and realized it wasn’t right for me. It isn’t what I wanted.”
“You meanIwasn’t right for you. You’re with someone else now. That’s why you won’t get back together with me, isn’t it? Just tell me the truth, Jake.”
I take a moment to decide what to say. Telling her I found someone else will hurt her, but I think she already knows.
“Yeah, there’s someone else.”
She’s crying, and this time it sounds real. “But you don’t love her. You can’t. We’ve only been broken up for a month.”
“Haley, I don’t want to get into this. Who I’m seeing now doesn’t matter. It isn’t about her. Even if I wasn’t seeing anyone right now, I still wouldn’t want us getting back together. Breaking up was the right decision. I’m sorry, Haley. But I know you’ll find someone else. Someone who’s better for you than me.”
“No, Jake. Please don’t give up on us.”
“I have to go. Bye, Haley.” I end the call, feeling a mix of emotions.
Telling her goodbye was hard. Not because I want to get back together with her, but because I feel like I’ve closed that chapterof my life. For good. In my mind, I’d left the door open for the possibility that Haley and I would get back together someday. It’s not what I actually wanted. It was more of a fantasy, the kind you imagine in your head where everything works out the way you planned. But in order for that to happen, Haley would have to be someone else, someone more like Tara.
It’s good Haley called. It was a difficult conversation, but it needed to happen. I feel like it’s finally over with her. I don’t have any desire to be with her. I only want to be with Tara.
When I get to Sean’s house, his uncle greets me at the door. Mick looks the same as he did three years ago except now he has a thick beard and mustache.
“Hey, Jake.” He laughs a little as he looks me up and down. “You’ve grown up. I almost didn’t recognize you. Come on in.”
“You got the day off?” I ask, going into the house.
“Yeah, but I’m leaving soon to see one of my kids. It’s his birthday. His mom’s throwing him a party.”
As we walk into the living room, I notice it’s just Sean and Leo. Sean said he was inviting girls over, but maybe they decided not to come. I hope that’s the case. I don’t want Sean trying to set me up with some girl.
Mick walks up behind the couch and swats Sean on the back of his head. “Don’t be leaving the kitchen a mess like last time. I got a girl coming over later.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Sean turns back and sees me. “Hey, you made it. Wasn’t sure if you’d show up.”
“You bring any food?” Leo asks.
“I didn’t know I was supposed to.” I sit down on the recliner. “You want me to go get something?”
“He’s joking,” Sean says. “Mick made lasagna last night. We got a ton left over if you’re hungry.”
“Not right now.” I glance at the football game on TV. “When did Mick learn to cook?”
