“Maybe that was a little dramatic, but it is important.” I glance to either side of me, but there’s nowhere for her to sit.

Reagan hops out of her seat. “Here, you can have mine. I’m going to… go. I just realized I need to be somewhere.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. I feel awful, not that I could have predicted this.

“I’ll call you later.”

Taryn takes a seat and I blow out a long breath. Best to just dive right in. “Whatever my brother did or said… he’s an idiot. He’s going through some things right now, so he’s not to be trusted.”

Her face twists into a surprised expression. “You mean your parents separating?”

“He told you?”

“Yeah, of course. He’s really torn up about it.”

“Exactly. Don’t let him push you away because of it. I think he just needs some time.”

She smiles sweetly. “I agree, but that’s not why we broke up.”

“It’s not?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “It probably was the catalyst, but it wasn’t the reason.”

Well, shit. I guess this is what I get for meddling. “Oh.” I slump in my chair. “You’re sure? You two seemed great together.”

“We are. Your brother is fantastic, and I really like him, but I’m transferring at semester and neither of us really wanted to try to manage a long-distance thing.”

“Oh.” Well, shit. “I didn’t know.”

“I just decided before Thanksgiving break. I got into a really competitive design program at my dream college.” Her face lights up.

“Wow, well, congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

For the next half hour, I listen as she tells me about her plans and the program at her new school. The more we talk, the more I like her and the sadder I am that she’s leaving. We part with a hug and a promise to keep in touch. I don’t know if we actually will, but it’s more than I can say for my relationships with most of Adam’s ex-girlfriends.

I’ve got a bunch of texts from Adam apologizing for not being able to make it. This night is a giant failure.

I call Heath on my way to his apartment, but he doesn’t answer. Since he got sick, he’s been keeping me away for fear I’d catch it, but right now, I’m willing to risk it to lay in his arms.

Noise filters out, laughter and loud voices, as I head up the stairs to their door. I knock twice before walking in. Rhett, Maverick, and Heath are in the living room. All eyes are on the TV and whatever video game they’re playing. Beer cans line the coffee table. It’s far from the scene I was expecting.