Rylee Girl

Bonfire of Regret

"No regrets, just lessons learned."

That evening Joey came over to my house and Piper told him the news. He was so ecstatic he picked her up and swung her around kissing her over and over singing "I'm gunna be a daddy!". I wanted so badly to call Benjamin to tell him the news, but I stopped myself. I needed to keep my distance. I went to bed that night so happy for Joey and Piper but feeling so sorry for myself. The next morning I woke up to a text from Benjamin asking if I was ok since he didn't hear from me last night. Sure, we needed distance, but I should at least let him know I'm not dead, so I called him.

"Hey beautiful!" He said happily picking up the phone.

"Hey." I said back.

"I uhh...I didn't hear from you after I dropped you off yesterday... Everything okay?" He asked.

"Umm. Yeah... Well... Pipers pregnant!" I told him.

"Whoa" he gasped.

"Yeah..." I sighed. "It's happy though... Everyone's happy." I said.

"You don't sound very happy." Benjamin replied.

"No..I am... I'm happy for them... I'm just... not feeling very good" I lied.

"I wonder if you got a cold from jumping in the pool" He said concerned. Why does he have to be so sweet?

"Maybe. I woke up feeling terrible..." I continued lying.

"I'm sorry babe." He said kindly.

"I'll be all right. I'm just going to rest all day... Are you working?" I questioned.

"Yeah. Unfortunately. Jose went out of town for the 4th so he has me working a double today and then I have to open in the morning. I'm going to be beat." He complained.

"Well...maybe after your shift tomorrow morning... You can...come over... We can nap together." I said momentarily forgetting I was supposed to be keeping my distance.

"I would love to sleep with you." He laughed making me giggle. "I'll call you in a little bit to check on you, okay babe?" He said.

"All right sweetheart. Talk to you later." I replied.

I spent the afternoon lounging in the living room because my mom and her gentleman friend were making lots of noises in her bedroom, so I was trying to stay as far away as possible.

*ding*

"Big bonfire party in the woods tonight! You wanna come?" Piper text me.

"Are you up for a bonfire in your condition? Lol" I texted back joking.

"Ha. Ha. I'll be fine! But keep your mouth shut we're not telling anyone yet!" She replied

"Okay, Okay. Yeah I'm down." I responded.

"I'll pick you up... Unless Benjamin is coming..." She text.

"He's working all night... Plus I'm distancing myself remember. He's too good for me." I answered.

"Nobody's too good for you Rylee girl... Especially that guy." Piper replied.

"I wish you understood" I text back.

"I don't. I'll see you tonight." She responded.

That night we got to the bonfire in the middle of the woods in the middle of nowhere and EVERYONE was there. I grabbed a beer from the keg, sat on a tailgate of a random truck, stared into the fire and thought of Benjamin when he suddenly text me. "Missing you, feel better love" and I felt like a huge piece of crap for lying to him.