Page 113 of Because of Blake
“But Blake is really cool, Mom. Dylan and I like him. A lot.”
“I do– I did, too, but having a good relationship is more than just liking each other.”
Sydney furrows her brow, almost scowling at me.
“You’ll understand when you’re older, Syd.”
“I don’t know if you even understand.” She gets up from the bed, leaving me speechless, and exits the room.
Chapter thirty-four
Twoweekslater,ona Tuesday evening, I’m lying in my bed, staring at the empty spot next to me. It may only be big enough for one person, but it’s missing two people. Charlie, and now, Blake. The only difference being the latter is completely my fault.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss him. We spent the better part of a year together, so it’s only natural I feel an emptiness without him around. It’s for the best, though.
My chest caves in. I may be able to say those words, but believing them is another thing.
When there’s a knock at my door, I call out, “Come in,” but don’t move from my curled-up position.
“Hey,” Michelle says quietly.
I roll over and sit up. “Michelle? What are you doing here?”
“At the request of your daughter, I’m here to find out what’s wrong with you.” She steps inside, shuts the door, and crosses the room to take a seat on the end of my bed. “So, what’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.” I pick at the edge of the blanket, not looking at Michelle.
“Well, that’s bullshit. Anyone can see that. If you were fine, you wouldn’t be hiding in your bed.”
With a groan, I ask, “What did Syd tell you?”
“That you’ve been sleeping a lot, and you don’t ever want to do anything, and you’ve been moody. Why does she sound like the mom and you’re the teenager?”
I let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “I guess this year was harder than I thought it would be.”
“It’s been over two weeks since Charlie’s… Since the 24th. It never takes you this long to bounce back. Why is this year so much harder?”
My throat tightens and my jaw quivers. I blink back the tears as I whisper, “I broke up with Blake.”
“What!?” Michelle practically leaps off the bed, standing up with her hands thrown to her sides. “When? Why?”
“The Friday you picked up the kids. It was all too much.”
“Mags, you were supposed to let him mend your heart, not tear it apart again.” She takes her seat on the bed. “What happened?”
The thought of reliving that night causes my body to shake, but once I start telling Michelle the details, I can’t stop. The story comes spilling out of my mouth so fast, I can barely keep up. By the end of it, my blanket is soaked with my tears and Michelle stares at me.
“And I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Mags...” Michelle reaches over and takes my hand. “You’re the biggest idiot I’ve ever met.”
My head whips up. “Excuse me?”
“You broke up with Blake over a beer? Abeer, Mags?”
I rip my hand from hers. “It wasn’t just the beer. It was the fact Blake was making it his favorite when it was already Charlie’s.”
“Jesus Christ, people are allowed to like the same beer. I love margaritas, but you don’t hear me telling everyone else they’re mine and mine alone.”