Roan laughed. “How is him thinking he wants to be with you different than him actually wanting to be with you?”

“Because as soon as we’re together, he’ll start whining again. I’m not opening up. I’m not letting him in. Blah. Blah. Blah. He’s got this picture of what we’d be like in his mind, but when it’s not actually like that, all he does is complain. I couldn’t ever be myself around him.” And that had been the downfall of our relationship.

“Honestly, I’m starting to think I’m not built to be with anyone,” I said. “Haden was sweet, caring, has a good business. In his spare time, he cooks for the homeless with the Crew. In theory, he’s pretty perfect. Maybe even too perfect. But I don’t know. That night when… I just wasn’t feeling it. He touched my tattoo, and I ran. And then he kept calling and calling and calling. The more he called, the more I wanted him to leave me the hell alone. He doesn’t deserve that. He should have a girl who actually wants to answer his calls.”

“You’re so touchy about your tattoo. Vanessa did a good job on it.”

“I know it’s weird, but I don’t want anyone to see it, let alone touch it. It’s personal.”

Roan was quiet for a second, but I knew he didn’t understand. I wasn’t even sure I understood what my hang-up was.

“Well, you’re the girl Haden wants,” Roan said finally. “And that he showed up to talk to me? That takes balls.”

“I guess, but don’t you think it’s a sign that you’re my best friend and you’re not friends with him?”

“No. He’s in the Crew, just like us. Which means he’s already been vetted. And I’m not in the relationship. That’s just you and him. He really wants to try to see what’s between you two, and you say he’s perfect, so maybe it’s worth another shot?”

Enough with this already. “Don’t make me feel bad about it. I didn’t feel a connection with Haden, and I tried. That’s it. It’s over.”

“But did you try? Did you open up to him?” Roan raised his voice over the sounds of the people around us as we moved through a crowded intersection. “Did you tell him about your dad?”

“Are you crazy? No. Of course I didn’t tell him about my dad.” The only people who knew exactly who and what I was were my mother, Roan, and Jorge. Telling Haden was too big of a risk. One I couldn’t afford to take.

“Maybe you should’ve.”

I shrugged off his suggestion. “I just didn’t get that feeling. That click. And I knew I couldn’t tell him the truth.”