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“Hey,” I said, feeling uncertain considering what was going on with him and Delaney.
“So, I know Laney is pissed at me, and I get it, but you gotta help me out. Can you help her see that I’m sorry and it was all a big misunderstanding?”
I turned and gave him the full effect of my conflicted stare. “I don’t know, Drew. I really don’t want to get in the middle of things and blowing her off was a shitty thing to do.”
He held his hands up. “I know, I know, but I explained everything to her after she finally returned my texts and I think she understands. I just want you to give her some encouragement to see things my way. I feel like such a dickhead about everything.”
I knew he really liked Delaney, but his behavior had been pretty inconsiderate. “You’re usually a good guy, so if you explained things and you had a good reason for blowing her off, I don’t see why she wouldn’t give you another shot,” I said, trying to stay as neutral as possible and avoid becoming some kind of mediator in their relationship.
I couldn’t even manage my fake relationship, so helping two people in a real one had me a little out of my depth.
He gave me a relieved grin and pulled me in for a hug, his arms tight around me. I stood awkwardly in his embrace, apparently both he and Laney were huggers. “You’re awesome, Emmy. Thanks for helping me.”
I hadn’t even agreed to do anything, but he seemed so grateful I couldn’t bring myself to challenge his assumption.
I pulled back immediately. “Yeah, no problem. I hope you guys work it out. I’ve got to go,” I said and practically sprinted away before I got pulled further into their chaos dynamic.
I was breathing heavily when I opened the door to our room and found Delaney lying on her bed with her pillow over her face. She pulled it off when she heard me close the door. I threw my book bag on the end of my bed and sat down next to it. “What’s going on?” I asked, gesturing to the pillow.
“I talked to Drew today.”
“So did I,” I said.
She sat up and stared at me in surprise. “You did? When? Why?”
“He just stopped me and asked me to help him get back together with you.”
Her jaw dropped and she put her hand to her chest. “He did that? Asked you for help to get me back?”
Her reaction indicated she found this sweet or romantic, or something. And I guess it could be interpreted that way, but I was aggravated at being in the position of passing messages between her and Drew. “Yeah.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize he liked me that much,” she said, smiling in pleasure.
“So, is he out of the doghouse? You’re going to forgive him?”
She peered at me, her smile dimming and her shoulders slumping. “You think I suck, don’t you? You think I’m one of those girls. One of those girls who lets a guy treat them like shit and get away with it,” she asked with defensive fearfulness.
I put both my hands up in a calming gesture. “I didn’t say anything. I was just asking. I mean, I do think what Drew did was shitty, but maybe he had a good reason? He didn’t mention what actually happened,” I asked, looking at her to provide more information.
She blew out a dramatic sigh. “He said he had to finish up some schoolwork, but then his roommate got sick and he had to take him to the hospital. That his roommate was in really bad shape, and he felt bad just leaving him.”
I nodded. “Hm, okay.” I had some opinions about the weakness of this excuse, but I had no desire to insert myself in any way going forward. Also, Drew was a nice guy, so maybe he was helping out his roommate.
Laney’s blonde brows drew together. “But if that’s even true, why couldn’t he at least call me and explain?” she asked me in exasperation.
“Right, agreed. He definitely should have called,” I said with sincerity.
I mean, if he did actually take his friend to the hospital, all you do there is wait. Wait to be seen by a doctor, wait for the doctor’s examination, wait for the diagnosis. There was plenty of time to at least text a full explanation to Delaney, if he wanted to.
“Right? But he said he was so busy focusing on his friend, he forgot about everything else, which I admit, is kind of sweet,” she said, now defending him.
I nodded, feeling like my best bet was to continue to be as neutral as possible. “Right.”
“But still, is this a red flag? There are other things that bug me about him, so am I just letting this whole thing slide, when I should see it as an indicator of things to come?” she asked, looking at me expectantly.
I licked my lips and thought about how to answer. “Uh, well, I think that’s a question only you can answer. There might be qualities of Drew that I don’t see. I’d be pretty mad about getting blown off. It was shitty and disrespectful, and in all honesty, he probably had plenty of opportunities to call while waiting around the hospital all night. But if you believe him, that he got wrapped up in his friend…” I shrugged and trailed off. Delaney nodded her head, digesting my response. “Also, you could talk to the friend. Maybe hearing it from him will make you feel a little less conflicted and…suspicious,” I suggested.
Laney clapped her hands. “Yes, that’s a good idea! I can talk to his friend—I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. You’re right, I think I should give him just one, last chance. If he blows it, that’s it,” she said, scooping her phone off the bed and texting someone, presumably Drew.