Page 36 of Don't Love Me

What if what I’d felt for him all this time was more brotherly love than lover love?

Nah. No one who fantasized as much as I did about Marc only felt brotherly affection for him. He was probably freaked out, but he was just going to have to get over it.

I waited for a response, but there was nothing.

* * *

3 weeks later

Ashleigh

Me:Let’s trade. You take me to prom and I’ll agree we can elope for our wedding.

Marc:Didn’t I tell you? I’m already married. Her name is Michelle. And yes, we did elope.

Me:Just so you know I’m wearing my mean face. Is there really a Michelle? Wait, don’t tell me. No, tell me. I can accept you having a love life until you’re ready for me. How else are you going to learn to get good at sex? Me, I’m just reading about it.

Marc:I’M GOOD AT SEX!

Me:Good to know.

Marc:There isn’t a Michelle. But I wouldn’t tell you if there was. It would upset you and I’m actuallytryingnot to do that these days.

Me:Then you’ll take me to the prom???

Marc:No! Final word.

* * *

2 weeks later

Ashleigh

Me:If you don’t take me, I won’t go.

Marc:Don’t care.

Me:But this was the dress I was going to wear. Sending pic now.

Marc:Nice dress. Go find someone else to take you.

Me:No, it’s fine. I’ll just stay home. I mean, who cares about prom anyway?

Marc:No one.

Me:You’ve left me with no choice…I’m calling in the big guns.

* * *

1 week later

Group Chat

Ashleigh

George:Marc, why won’t you take Ashleigh to the prom?

Marc:Stay out of this, George.