Ryan’s words caught me off guard. All I wanted was to keep everyone from getting hurt and make this as painless as possible. How did it suddenly seem like I was the one pleading out of pity?
“Ryan, I’m not begging. I just want to end this between us as soon as possible. It’s for Edward’s sake, for yours, and for mine,” I said, my voice cold and unwavering.
Ryan was taken aback. Next thing, he asked, his voice laced with sadness, “You’re really not going to see me anymore, are you?”
“Really,” I replied calmly, closing the door right behind me.
Knocked out by the meds and that shot for my cold, I didn’t even wake up till well into the afternoon the next day.
I gazed blankly out the window at the sky, then reached over to grab my phone and turn it on.
Aside from a couple of work texts, there was nothing from Edward at all.
I couldn’t help thinking, ‘Guess this is how things go when you’re grown up. You talk it through, cut ties, and just walk away from each other.’
My heart stung like I’d just been hit by a bee, but I forced all that negativity down, washed up, and headed downstairs.
Downstairs, Ryan was relaxing on the couch, and right beside him was this tiny, snowy-white fluffball—a super cute baby Pomeranian.
The moment I saw her, I just had to rush over and scoop her up. She was impossibly adorable with her sparkling eyes, darting around as she checked out this new environment.
“Where’d you get her?” I asked, cuddling the puppy close.
Ryan glanced at me holding the little dog and said, “Just had her delivered. Thought I’d name her.”
“What’s her name?” I asked, curious.
“Vika-boo,” Ryan said.
I whipped my head around and glared at him. “Seriously?”
Ryan just chuckled, totally amused. “That’s her name.”
I was stunned for a second, then immediately had the urge to smack him upside the head.
“Absolutely not—pick something else,” I insisted, annoyed. “She can’t have a name that’s basically mine.”
Ryan just shrugged. “From now on, she’s gonna be here instead of you, keeping me company. I need some kind of comfort, right? Let me have this, will you?”
“Ryan…” I knew he was messing with me on purpose. “If you really wanna call me a dog, just say it. No need for these childish stunts just to make fun of me.”
Ryan looked at me, all innocent and serious. “Vic, come on, like I’d ever call you a dog. I mean it—I really want to keep her around. She’ll be the one who takes all my moods from now on.”
I just froze for a second, and then out of nowhere, my chest tightened with all these emotions tumbling up.
I looked down at the little ball of white fluff in my arms, and before I knew it, tears were pouring down my face.
My tears splashed down onto the puppy’s white fur.
Ryan thought I was just joking around, but when he saw the tears streaming down my face, he froze.
Then, he whispered, “Alright, I’ll change her name. How about Snowy? It’s cute and easy to say.”
I wasn’t crying about the puppy’s name anymore—it was Ryan’s stubborn ways, the way he couldn’t let go of what we had. Seriously, I couldn’t tell if he was a hopeless romantic or just an idiot.
“Okay, okay, just don’t cry, alright? You can name her whatever you want,” Ryan said, scrambling for tissues, sounding totally lost.
I did my best to shove those messy feelings down. No point overthinking now—anything extra would just make it all hurt even more.
“Forget it. She’s yours, so call her whatever you like,” I said, biting my lip and forcing back the tears. I wiped my eyes and asked Ryan, “Do I still need to get another shot today?”
Ryan nodded. “Yeah. Doc said you need one more today.”
“Mind if I borrow your car? I can go on my own,” I whispered.
“No way, I’m coming with you,” Ryan said, stubborn as ever.
“Ryan, you always hated crowds before, and it’s still not easy for you. Why don’t you skip it this time?” I said, trying to stop him.
Ryan shook his head. “My grandpa wrapped me in a bubble for so long. But he’s getting old, and it’s time I finally stepped up.”
I looked at Ryan—right now, at twenty-four, he was absolutely in his prime.
Honestly, it really was a stroke of luck to have caught his eye.
But then, it was that same love that sent my life on a wild rollercoaster and smashed the straight path I’d been heading for.
“Vic, you know there’s no fighting me on this. Just let me drive you,” Ryan said.