I didn’t remember any Andrea Swirtz, but I was going to look her up the second I got home. What a bitch.
“I need to get going, Olivia,” Glenda said, gesturing toward her husband, “but I have no hard feelings. Take this as a learning lesson and move on, okay?”
I wanted to cry again because she was being so nice. I nodded and managed to croak out something like sorryagainandhaveagoodnight before taking my malt and disappearing out into the night.
I walked a block and then sat down on a bench as it hit me, the awful truth of it all.
Holy shit.
Colin hadn’t told anyone.
I felt sick as I thought of his face when I’d been an absolute witch to him. Compared him to his dad—ugh. I pulled out my phone and texted him.
Me: Colin, I am SO sorry. I know it wasn’t you who told and I am SO sorry I was such a bitch, especially after Sex Night.
I stood and walked down another block before checking my phone.
Nothing.
I sent another text.
Me: I know you’re probably mad at me but please know that I greatly regret the way I treated you. You didn’t deserve it and I am the world’s biggest asshole.
I walked the rest of the way home, and when I got to the lobby I sent another message.
Me: Okay. So you’re ignoring me. I deserve it, but please forgive me. I know we’re dicks to each other all the time, but I went beyond our usual banter and I couldn’t be more sorry. If you want to come down and talk, my door will be unlocked and I’ll be guilt-eating ramen.
I hit send, but as soon as I got in the elevator, I pushed the button for Colin’s floor.
I had to make him listen.
I took a deep breath before knocking at his door. Please don’t let Jack be home, and please don’t let some woman be there. I was reaching into my skirt pocket to check my phone, when the door opened.
There he was.
“Hey.” His face showed nothing, all business as if I were at his door selling vacuum cleaners. He looked impatient, like he wanted me to hurry.
And so detached that it hurt to breathe.
“Can I talk to you for a second?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Your brother—”
I grabbed the front of his hoodie and dragged him out into the hallway. “I just need a second. Please?”
He pulled the door closed behind him and I felt something skip through my middle as his Adam’s apple bobbed around a swallow. I let go of his shirt but my hand immediately missed the solid breadth of his chest.
I raised my eyes from his throat and said, “Did you get my texts?”
His jaw flexed. “My phone’s charging in the office. What’s up?”
I swallowed. It was harder to say in person. “Listen, Colin. About the other day—”
“Forget it.” His jaw clenched again and he said, “It doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does. I was wrong—”
“Forget it, Liv. We’ve covered that it was a mistake and—”
“Quit interrupting. I’m not talking about the sex, okay?”
Cue my brother, opening the door and looking back and forth between the two of us. “What’re you guys doing out here?”
Colin said, “Nothing,” as I said, “Talking.”
But God—had Jack heard me yelling about sex?
He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “Lemme guess. Livvie wants to move back in with us now that she’s jobless.”
“Screw you.” I was relieved he hadn’t heard, but his blasé attitude about my life pissed me off. I rolled my eyes and pleaded with emotionless Colin, “Please just read my texts.”
Colin
I watched her walk away, feeling gut punched. What had that been about?
“Dude, why don’t you stop looking at my sister’s ass?” Jack was giving me a weird look that I wasn’t in the mood for.
“Yeah. Okay.” I went back inside and he followed.
“What the hell would Livvie be texting you about?”
I feigned ignorance. “Who knows?”
“No, seriously. It makes no sense that Olivia would text you.”
I ignored him, went into the office, and unplugged my old phone from the charger. “Dunno.”
“Well, why don’t you check?” He stood in the doorway, scowling at me. “Then you’ll know, dipshit.”
I let my arm fall to my side. “I’m good, but thanks.”
“What the fuck?” He took a step into the office and said, “I’m good? The right answer is ‘I have no fucking idea why your little sister would ever be texting me. I better check because that’s weird.’ That would be a solid response.”