Page 15 of The TV Show Rival
Amy’s voice hardened to match her eyes. “Well, if that’s what you want, fine! I can take you on those tours, call you, text you…Is that what will make you happy?”
Jamie stared at her, her heart sinking lower with each word. “Is that it, Amy? A performance? This isn’t about making me happy, it’s about a basic level of respect and communication. You know, the things that actual couples do?”
Taking a deep breath of exasperation, she asked, “Do you even love me, Amy?”
“Of course I do!” Amy replied defensively.
“Do you see a future with me? Getting married?”
A scoffing laugh escaped Amy. “Marriage? Please, Jamie. That’s so cliché. I’m not getting tied down!”
The finality in her voice cut deep. Here it was, the truth laid bare. Jamie wanted to build a life, share dreams, maybe even have a white picket fence someday. Amy, on the other hand, seemed content traversing the globe, with no room for commitment in her life.
“Well, I want to get married someday, and apparently, that’s not something you’re interested in.”
“Look,” Amy sighed, trying to regain control of the situation, “Maybe in the future… We’re still getting to know each other, right?”
“Getting to know each other? Amy, what’s my favorite flower?”
A hesitant answer came back: “Lilies.”
“Wrong. I’m allergic to flowers. If you ever bothered to pay attention, maybe you would have known that.
She opened her mouth to retort, but Jamie held up a hand, silencing her.
“This isn’t working. We’re strangers cloaked in the illusion of a relationship. You haven’t even bothered to learn the basics! I deserve better than this one-sided charade.”
A desperate plea darted in Amy’s eyes. “Wait, Jamie?—”
But Jamie was done waiting. Done hoping that the girl who captivated her would magically reappear.
“Don’t call me,” Jamie cut her off, her voice leaving no room for argument. “Don’t text me. And for heaven’s sake, just stay away.”
Jamie stood to leave but delivered one last parting shot. “And by the way, interrupting someone’s order because a meal smells is not only inconsiderate, it’s incredibly rude.”
With that, Jamie walked out of the restaurant, leaving the self-absorbed narcissist behind.
The night may not have ended as she’d hoped, but it ended with a truth revealed. And that, she realized, was far better than clinging to a fantasy.
Pulling out her phone, Jamie shot Marty a quick text.
Hey, I’m coming over for the weekend. How about you, me, some peace and quiet (and hopefully some fish)? Pyramid Lake?
A grin spread across her face as the reply popped up almost instantly.
Sounds like a plan, J. Haven’t missed a good catch in ages! And I look forward to hosting you here. See you at the lake.
As she climbed into her car, the engine came to life like a promise. This weekend was all about her, no more disappearing girlfriends or self-centered dates.
She punched in the GPS coordinates—destination: Pyramid Lake.
It had been months since she last cast a line there, a place that held a special kind of magic for her.
Back then, it was an escape, a place where the only company she craved was the gentle lapping of waves against the shore and the tug of a fighting fish on her line. And who was always by her side, net in hand and an evil spark in his eyes?
Marty, the class bully.
The very thought brought a smile to her lips. If you’d told her grade-school self that the class bully would become her closest confidante, she’d have scoffed at the notion.