Cuffs and Kisses

Chapter 25 - Can't Avoid These Feelings

Heather

After school, I do my homework at the kitchen table. I decide to take a study break when my phone lights up with Ali's picture. I answer the call and prepare myself for the interrogation about my breakup with Fletcher.

I'm surprised to hear Ali say,"I'm so sorry, Heather."

"Oh, thank you." I add, "For what exactly?"

"For bringing up the private business between you and Fletcher. You've got to understand that I didn't mean for my comments today to break you two up."

"Ali, don't worry. It was going to end anyways. Being more than friends just didn't feel right."

"Did you tell him that?" She asks, clearly intrigued to hear more gossip. I keep this in mind as I carefully let information pass my lips.

"Yes, I did."

"So it has nothing to do with your steamy affair with Faulkner? That boy really took a beating for you."

I suck in a deep breath before I deny her accusation. "No. It had nothing to do with Faulkner. I'm not interested in him and nothing happened on Saturday night."

"Really? That's not what he told me. You know, I could see two together."

"Ali, you have no idea what you're talking about." I hint for her to drop the topic.

She's taken aback. "Well, I'm going off of what my friend Faulkner told me. Clearly, I wasn't in the bedroom with the two of you, but there had to be something to get you up there in the first place."

Yeah. Sheer force on Faulkner's part and the prospect of buying drugs. Neither reason would satisfy Ali's curiosity.

Instead, I reply, "Well, I'll tell you it didn't go well on my part, so I don't want to talk about it."

"What do you mean it didn't go well?"

Warily, I say, "Well, he sort of forced himself on me."

"What? That's crazy. Faulkner does a lot of sketchy things, but he would never do that." She defends him.

I sigh in defeat. "Well, he did. I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let's talk about something else."

Ignoring me, Ali continues, "Heather, he told me that you were into him. I've known him for years. He wouldn't lie to me. I'm telling you he wouldn't do anything—"

I interrupt her, realizing I'm not going to convince her. "Hey, Ali. I've got to go. I'm getting some bad period cramps, so I need to go lay down."

"Alright. Well feel better," she says, conceding to my lie.

I sit at the kitchen table contemplating the conversation I just had with Ali. I understand her inability to see who Faulkner truly is since he's been her friend for years. But, if she's going to talk to me like that and not believe me when she claims to be my friend, then I'm going to have to reevaluate our friendship.

Unable to complete my work for the next day, I go through the nightly routine with Max. When he comes in from using the bathroom, I give him a treat.

Then, I retreat to my bedroom to make the dreaded phone call. Max happily trots behind me, the treat safely in his stomach. His ears flop up and down as he strides down the hall beside me until we reach my room. Then, he takes his place in his dog bed to curl up for a nap.

I flop back on my bed and scroll through the blocked contacts until I find the familiar digits.

Still conflicted on whether this is a good idea or not, I allow my fingers to press unblock and then the call button. My heart is beating fast with each ring as I wait for him to answer. The line picks up, but there's a few agonizing seconds of silence.