Forever Read Free Page A

we get with each other, Andrew, Jess and I always look out for each other.

    I am so sweaty and hot; I need fresh air. The Spence asks if he can join me. I agree.

    W e get our wrists stamped before we step outside to cool off.

    W e find a quiet part of a curb and sit down. I pull out my phone to check the time.

    “ P ast your bedtime ?” The Spence jokes.

    I put my phone away . A street vendor across the street serves up bacon wrapped hot dogs and ice-cold sodas.

    “ T hat sure smells good ,” I mention, off-handed.

    I mmediately , The Spence springs to his feet and dashes across the street. Before I know it, he delivers me a dog with all the trimmings and an ice-cold Coke. I devour the dog in between sips of soda.

    W hat is it about street food at 2 am? It could be made of cardboard, but it would still be the best food I’ve ever tasted.

    “ C an I take you out ?” The Spence blurts out. “On a real date. No expectations, no hands, I promise. You can meet me; wherever. It doesn’t matter.”

    T he Spence gets serious for a moment, “I’ll be a gentleman.”

    I consume the last bite of my dog and wipe my hands with a napkin.

    “ O kay ,” I agree.

    “ O kay ,” The Spence echoes as Andrew and Jessica join us. The Spence and I set our first date for tomorrow, at the movies.

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    I feel little butterflies in my stomach as I get ready. I put on lip gloss, a form-fitting t-shirt and jeans. Nothing special. I walk out to my car where Jake leans up against it.

    I freeze in my tracks . I wasn’t expecting to see Jake today. He usually tells someone when he’s coming home. But there wasn’t any advanced warning or time to make myself scarce.

    “ H i , Sidney,” Jake says as he takes a step away from my car, towards me.

    “ H i Jake ,” I say as I use my keys to open the car door.

    J ake places his hand over mine. I pull my hand away. Oh, how this has become so awkward and uncomfortable.

    “ C an you give me a minute ?” Jake almost pleads.

    I owe him that . I stand, with my arms folded. I say I’m ready to listen, but my body language tells him different.

    J ake clears his throat , “I thought you should know that I’ll be playing rugby for Ireland. My dad… our dad, has dual citizenship, so I qualify. They’ve invited me, and I’m going.”

    I have no idea what Jake wants from me. Is he telling me this in hopes I’ll ask him to stay? Or is he letting me know that he’s accepted our breakup and that we’ll never be together again? I have no clue.

    I just listen .

    “ I leave tonight . Just wanted to tell you myself.”

    “ W ow , it sounds like an amazing opportunity, Jake. It wasn’t so long ago you were questioning whether you even wanted to play. Now you’re going pro? It’s a big step. But I’m sure you’ve thought it through,” I falsely encourage.

    “ I have ,” Jake shares. “There is nothing left for me here, so I might as well jump at this opportunity.”

    J ake waits for me to say something… anything to give him reason to stay.

    I can’t .

    “ J ake … you’ll do great. They’re lucky to have you.”

    J ake stares me dead in my face. His eyes swell with water. I’ve never seen Jake tear up before. He opens my car door, and I climb in. Once I turn on the ignition, Jake takes a step back, away from the car, as I back out of the driveway.

    M y heart breaks into a million tiny pieces, yet I can’t let Jake know that. I drive away, on my way to see, The Spence.

    I study Jake from my rear view mirror. He stands there, like a statue, not moving an inch.

    I know that I’m breaking him in two, but there is nothing I can do about it.

    N ever in a million years , did I see myself as the person I am today; putting my mom’s happiness before my own, no matter how much it hurts… because it’s the right thing to do.

    I ’m beginning to like myself.

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    I meet , The Spence outside the movie theater. I don’t tell him what just went