My Best Friend's Ex(31)

"So why wasn't she right for him?"

Good question. He might have loved her, but I think he was in love with the comfort of Sadie, the ease she gave him. "I don't think they were ever truly in love. They were at each other's sides for some of the worst times in their life. They were each other's backbones for so long. They knew the ins and outs of each other. They both grew up in unhealthy environments, mostly caused by their moms, who left heavy scarring on their childhoods. They bonded over the misfortune, but sometimes two broken souls can't fix each other. In their case, that was true."

"It makes me sad. But I get it. The Sadie you speak of is not the same Sadie I know. She seems so happy, so content in life."

I nod. "That's the new Sadie. Andrew brings out the fun-loving side of her. The Sadie I love and adore, but for a while, before Andrew, she was bitter, liked to be alone, and would drink a lot. For a few months, she literally had nothing going for her. It wasn't until Andrew came along that she rose from her ashes and became the brilliantly vibrant woman she is now."

"I bet that is a bitter pill for Tucker to swallow."

Leave it to Adalyn to smack me in the face with logic. Tucker must be in so much pain, seeing Sadie happy with someone else. And there I was, bringing up the past and then throwing threats of feminine products in his face. What kind of friend does that? Once again, I feel like I've failed him.

I slouch even more in my booth. "Ever seen what a troll wart looks like?"

Adalyn tilts her head in confusion. "What?"

I point to myself. "That's me, a freaking troll wart. No," I shake my head, "I don't even deserve the distinction of being a wart on a troll's body. I'm the rotten, crusted-over, split toenail on a Bergen. A BERGEN."

My voice elevates, which causes Adalyn to try to tamp down my anger by using her hands to "bring down the noise." "Your Troll references are frightening sometimes. That movie is for children."

"But it's sooo good. Snub of the century during the award season." Upset, I push my tray to the side, not feeling the Chinese food. "I'm such a horrible person, Adalyn. I was so mean to him. I told him to act like an adult."

"What?" Adalyn is actually surprised by this. "Why would you say that? Did he burp in your face and ask you to tell him what he had for dinner?"

"Ew, no. Gross, Adalyn. Has anyone ever done that to you?"

Leveling out her arms along the table, she gives me a knowing look. "Emma, I grew up with seven, yes, seven brothers. There wasn't a night that went by that I didn't get burp faced."

"I don't know how you're still alive now."

Looking off to the abyss, she nods. "I can't believe they're still alive, actually. After the night they cut my hair, drunk as shit, they should be kissing my feet they're dicks are still intact." She shakes her head and glances my way. "But that isn't what we're talking about right now. I want to know why you told Tucker, the beautifully damaged man, why he needs to grow up."



       
         
       
        

"It's so stupid. I really think I lost my mind from his silence." I'm just not used to people dealing with problems like that. With Adalyn, we simply cleared the air and moved on. Aren't guys meant to do that?

Adalyn doesn't let me get away with anything. "Spill it."

"I told him to grow up because he only has two mugs in his house. Two mugs, Adalyn. How is that even possible? I mean, when I was in middle school I think I had more mugs than him. He's a grown man and has two mugs; it's just unheard of." I try to defend myself but even on my ears my words sound hollow.

"Oh, Emma." Adalyn shakes her head in disappointment. "You fucked up."

"Yeah, I fucked up big time." I don't need Adalyn telling me the kind of sorry excuse of a friend I am, I can see it plain as day. Tampon fireworks, ughhh.

I don't even bother finishing my meal. I pack it up in a to-go box, and say my goodbyes to Adalyn, who asks me on my way out to sneak a picture of Tucker naked for her. Nope, that's never going to happen.

The drive home from campus is miserable. Usually I take this time in my car to decompress, to blast my music and enjoy the little drive back home before I have to start studying, but this trip is full of replaying the conversation I had with Tucker this morning over and over in my head.

Yes, he's been ignoring me; well, not ignoring, just quiet. And yes, that was annoying, but did I really have to criticize him? The man who took me in. The only one of our friends who had bought their own house. Gah. He probably hates me now.