ie

R –It’s all good. We wouldn’t be besties if we couldn’t vent our anger and get away with it.

M – True but I should never be able to get away with being an emotional, slightly alcoholic, snot rag again.

I say those words, and I mean them. I shouldn’t have gone off at him the way I did. He was always upfront with me, even if at times it hurt. He never promised anything he couldn’t give. He was honest about his feelings for both her and I. It was me that jumped forty steps ahead, instead of just being the friend he needed at the time. I am ashamed of myself, for not being there for him and worrying so much about how it made me feel.

R – It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot, too.

M – Snot rag.

R – Ha ha. Spoof rag. You’d enjoy being a spoof rag.

M – Yes. I would.

R – Don’t run away on me, Bestie? Okay?

M – I’m not going anywhere. I just hope you are okay.

R – I’m okay. Bit down on and off today, but I’ll get over it. Again.

Yes.

Yes, he will.

This time, we’ll get him through in the right way.

The way we should have the first time.

CHAPTER 22

“Do you think I look okay?” Jack asks.

I roll my eyes. “Jack, you look fine. I thought you didn’t care what this girl thought of you? I thought you were ‘removing’ all your attention.”

He grunts. “Yes, but I still need to look good. Get with the times, Molly.”

I nudge him with my shoulder.

“You look like a two dollar hooker,” Phoenix says. “Total playboy. She’s going to run a million miles.”

I shoot Phoenix a look and he grins at me.

“Have ta agree with my bro,” Quinn says. “She’s going to see straight through you.”

“Leave him alone!” Matilda says, hooking her arm through Jack’s. “I think it’ll do her good to see him looking like he could get anyone, might make her pick up her game.”

“Or it’ll make her think he’s not worthy of her time,” Kaylee adds, quietly.

“C’mon, Kay,” Quinn says, throwing an arm around her shoulder. “Not everyone looks for the good in men like you do. Some girls just like the attention. This girl seems like one of them. She’ll fall for it.”

“What do you think?” Jack asks me, looking flustered.

“I think you need to be Jack. That’s it. Don’t be anyone else. Don’t chase her around. Don’t give her lovey-dovey eyes. Stop making a massive effort and just have fun.”

“Do you think that’ll work?” he asks me, sceptical.

“It would work for me if I was interested in a guy.”

“Me too,” Matilda adds.

We all keep moving down the sidewalk to a local club that Jack has on good authority that this girl, Baylee, is going to be at. So, we all decided to come with him, after he begged and pleaded. It’s always nice to go on a night out with these guys. We meet the end of the line and stop, all of us pulling out our identification.

We move through the line quickly, flash our I.D and enter the club. It’s a massive club, modern and sleek. Its theme is red, and, boy, do they make it work. Red and silver booths line the walls, a red dance floor is topped with a gorgeous glass chandelier, the bar is silver, but all the glasses are red. It’s well done and a lot of thought has gone into it.

“Let’s get drinks,” Jack yells. “You ladies go get a booth.”

I take Matilda and Kaylee’s arm and pull them through the crowd to a booth. We climb into one at the back corner. Matilda slides in first, Kaylee goes into the middle, and I slip into the end.

“So!” Matilda yells over the music. “Roman ...”

I glance at her and shrug. “It’s the same as it was before.”

She raises her brows.

It’s been two weeks since Roman told me he ended it with his ex, and in that time, he’s kept up to his word and hasn’t spoken to her. He’s had some pretty major up and downs, but he’s been strong. I’ve been there by his side, and I’ve done my best to make sure I’m not putting any pressure on or crossing any boundaries.

“It’s the same?” she questions.

Kaylee glances between us, eyes wide, taking the conversation in.

“Yes, it’s the same. We made a mistake rushing before, we’re not doing that again. He needs time. He’s hurting.”

“Yes, I know all that, but you two had something pretty special. Is it still the same?”

I nod. “Yeah, it is. He talks to me all the time, we still hang out all the time.”

“Just no sexy time?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Good for you. I think you two will have something pretty special if you can hold out and help him heal.”

“Yeah,” I say, and my heart twists.

It’s hard pushing my feelings down for Roman. People will never quite understand how frustrating it can be to keep in a friend zone with someone you care so much about. I too need this time but being with him, it makes me feel good and it can be so hard to remember that’s all it can be for right now. Maybe even forever. Because there is a chance Roman will come out the other side of this, and just want friendship. I have to prepare myself for that, so keeping this distance emotionally is good for both of us right now.

The guys return and Jack slides me a Cosmo; I take it and swallow a few sips. My phone buzzes in my purse, and I pull it out, glancing down at a message from Roman. I smile when I read it. He still has that effect on me. He can make me smile all the time, no matter what mood I’m in. That’s the best part about him.

R – How’s your night? Send me a picture of you all dressed up so I can see!

R – Not in a creepy stalker way.

M – I feel a little like you might be a creepy stalker after that text.

R – Send me a picture.

M – Maybe I’ll leave it up to your imagination...

R – It’s already in there. Now send me a picture!

M – Nah...hehe.

R – Being cheeky? Fine. But I will be getting that picture, one way or another. How is everyone?

M – Well, so far so good. No one has hit on me, spilt a drink on me or vomited.