But when I got home, I’d gone to my room because I was sure I needed something, and I just happened to look out the window across the yard. My heart froze. Then it pounded harder and harder, my chest barely containing it in its attempt to reach Ana.
She was sitting on her bed, slouched and staring down at her phone. Her shoulders were shaking, and when she lifted her hand to wipe her cheek, I tossed my plan to avoid her out the window and grabbed my phone.
Me: Come over.
Her head jerked up to me standing at my window and, even across the distance, I could see her red eyes and down-turned lips. My chest pinched at seeing her in pain. I didn’t know what had happened, but I hurt for her and wanted to do everything in my power to make it better.
At her nod, I ran down to the front door and waited. It was raining, so I knew she wouldn’t climb the patio. I opened the door and rushed her upstairs to avoid my parents. When we entered the bonus room, I sat her down on the couch and faced her, putting my hands on her wet cheeks and lifted her face for me to see.
“Ana . . .” It escaped on a whisper full of pain. My friend was hurting and I hated it. “What happened?”
She sniffled and took a deep breath, trying to stop the flow of tears. “Apparently, my dad has a new girlfriend and talked to my mom.” I winced, knowing how much anything related to her dad was hard on her. I couldn’t imagine how much it hurt to hear he had a girlfriend. “I’m spending Christmas with them this year so I can meet her. I have no choice in the matter. My mom said I needed to spend time with my father since I’d only seen him a couple times in the past year. What she didn’t say was that she was going to be able to go on a cruise with some old friends since I’d be gone.”
Her voice wobbled the whole way through, but my strong Ana held it together.
“How long?” I asked.
“The whole two weeks.”
Fuck. I was going to miss her. It sucked and there wasn’t much to say to make it better. I didn’t bother offering her a hollow “I’m sorry.” So instead of trying to find the right words in a shitty situation, I moved next to her on the couch and pulled her into my arms.
Fuck staying away. She was my friend and needed me. That trumped everything else I could possibly feel.
“Nice try, fucker,” Sean joked when I missed a shot on goal.
“Whatever, it was a half-ass attempt at best. A two-year-old could have stopped that goal.”
We stood around catching our breath when someone asked Sean about Ana.
“You tapped that yet, Hearst?”
He laughed and shrugged. “Not yet, man.”
“You pussy,” someone else taunted. My muscles tensed at how they were discussing Ana.
“No pussy here,” Sean argued. “Just because we aren’t fucking, doesn’t mean we aren’t doing other things.” He winked.
“You gonna set the moves over Christmas break?”
Fuck, did they not realize I was right fucking there, listening to them discuss tapping my friend. And fuck Sean for allowing them to talk about her like that.
“I don’t think so. She’s been quiet this past week. When I try to make plans over break, she just turns me down or changes the subject.” He ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “I don’t know if she’s avoiding me or what, but it sucks. I want to see my girl over Christmas. If you know what I mean.” The guys laughed at his meaning and I’d had enough.
“It’s because she’s spending it with her dad in Tennessee. She doesn’t want to talk about it because she’s pissed,” I said, not even looking up from zipping up my bag. When I stood, it was to silence and I looked around, my eyes landing on Sean’s confused face.
“Why would she tell you that and not me?” His question was low and filled with frustration.
“I don’t know, did you ask her?” I felt a little protective of Ana after hearing them. And maybe I felt some pride in the fact that she told me and not him. “Maybe she just feels more comfortable with me.”
I went too far. I knew it when Sean clenched his jaw. He was one of my closest friends but a part of me was filled with jealousy. This was the guy that was stealing my time with my best friend. But Sean was my friend too, and I shouldn’t have taunted him. He was her boyfriend, even if he was being an asshole.
“Oh, trust me, Harding, I meet all of her needs, and she sure as hell feels comfortable enough to let me.” He stepped into my space and I held my ground, holding his stare. He stepped a little closer, bumping my chest with his. “Jealous?” he whispered.