Be Good Read Free Page B

stomach and I had an overwhelming urge to escape. I didn’t want him to find out that I didn’t remember talking to him, or flirting with him or even being with him. How shitty would that be after his big confession of longing to be with me? I generally didn’t care about anyone’s feelings, even my own, (although I’ve been accused more than a few times of not having any feelings at all Flaw 6 ). Why did I care so damn much about Brett’s feelings all of a sudden?
    I stood up. “I’ve got to go.”
    “Are you okay?” He had worry in his eyes.
    I had to get out of there before he found out. I quickly scanned the room for my dress and shoes and purse. That’s when I noticed he had placed all of my things, which had been strewn about the room last night, on the table in the corner. I grabbed my stuff but he grabbed my arm before I could make it out the door.
    “You can’t just leave like this.”
    “Why not?” I knew my tone was clipped. Being mean to get out of the room would be a lot more humane that him finding out the truth.
    He blinked a few times as if he was searching for the right words. “Because I don’t want you to.”
    My withered heart actually fluttered a bit. It felt strange—good but unfamiliar. It definitely wasn’t something I was used to. I didn’t normally do feelings or emotions, other than anger and rage.
    Angry words spewed from my mouth. “Why? Do you want to fuck me again? You didn’t get enough last night. You want another piece?”
    He dropped my arm. “No, that’s not what I meant. I just want to spend time with you.”
    He was so sincere it made me want to punch him. Or kiss him. Maybe both. I decided on the former rather than the later but not in the literal sense. I didn’t have to lay a hand on a guy to give him a blow to the gut.
    “What did you think was going to happen, Brett? Did you think because we fucked that I was going to be your girlfriend? There’s a reason they call it a one-night stand. It was a hook up. Nothing more. Deal with it. You live in Palo Alto. I live here in Phoenix. We’ll probably never see each other again.”
    He looked like I had just punched him. Score a direct hit. Now it was time to make my exit.
    “I may not be smart ( Flaw 4 ) and I may not be nice ( Flaw 12 ) but I do know when I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
    “What are you talking about?” He seemed confused. I thought I was being pretty damn clear.
    “I’m going back to my room.”
    “I mean the flaws with numbers.”
    “People aren’t shy about telling me how flawed I am. Some people aren’t shy about telling me repeatedly. I decided to make a list. I have one hundred and twenty six flaws.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “You’re really messed up.”
    “I know. It’s flaw 38 . Now can I leave?”
    “Just one more thing . How much do you remember about last night?”
    Shit. I froze. I could feel my stuff fall from hands but I was physically unable to stop it from dropping to the floor. Was I scared? I didn’t remember what that felt like. The last time I remembered being scared was when I broke my arm falling from a tree house. I was eight.
    Brett seemed to be looking right through me. I found it hard to swallow and I could feel my heart racing. How did this man manage to make me feel so many things I hadn’t felt in years?
    “How much do you remember?” he pressed.
    “Nothing,” I shouted. “Is that what you want me to say? Is that what you want to hear? That I don’t remember a God damn thing. There. I said it. Are you happy now?”
    “No,” he said solemnly. 
    The look on Brett’s face was beyond hurt, beyond pain. It was complete and utter disgust. He shook his head as if he could shake everything that happened between us away. Or maybe he was trying to shake me away? He reached down, grabbed my stuff from the floor and handed it to me.
    “Maybe you’re right .” His expression was pained. “Maybe it is time for you to