Page 187 of Rock Bottom Girl

Hope stirred in my chest, and I tried to squash it. But it was a slippery sucker. “I thought you wanted more,” I reminded her.

“There is nomorethan what I found with you. I was happy with you, and it scared me, Jake. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be good enough. And you come along and don’t even demand that I prove myself. You just love me as the hot mess that I am.”

“What about that job in Pittsburgh?” I asked.

Her eyes widened.

“Yeah, small town. Remember?” I said.

If they hadn’t made an offer and I was second fiddle…well, I’d take it, but I wouldn’t be happy about it.

Homer spotted the women hanging out of the car window and bolted off the porch to greet them. He dove in through the open window and settled himself on the passenger seat.

“I have a confession to make. You’re my second stop today,” she said with a small smile.

“What was your first?

“I crashed Principal Eccles’s family luncheon and asked if she would consider me for a permanent position. Spoiler Alert: Even though I was bleeding and a little buzzed on Chardonnay, she said yes. So you should know that I’ll be sticking around here even if you aren’t magnanimous enough to take me back. You’ll be seeing me every single day of your life.”

I stroked a hand over my mouth to cover the smile that was trying to appear. “You don’t say?”

She nodded. “And I’m still going to be running. So I’ll probably be bumping into you in the mornings before school. And asking for your help to study for the Praxis since I’m going to be a real teacher in a permanent position.”

“I guess it would be real awkward for everyone if you were still here and we were broken up,” I mused, running a finger down her neck and hooking it in her sweater. I tugged her a step closer.

“Very,” she nodded, eyes serious. “You’d be doing a service to your community by taking me back.”

“And I suppose my uncles would be grateful to you for turning my pigsty into a home.”

“Hi, Marley!” my uncles chorused behind me.

She waved over my shoulder before turning her attention back to me. “Look, Jake. I know that I screwed up big time. I know that I hurt you. And I’m so sorry. I’ll do better if you just give me a chance. You’ve made me realize something. I’m not a disaster or a loser. And just because things don’t go exactly the way I think they should doesn’t mean that they aren’t perfect the way they are.”

I held silent for a beat. Not trusting my voice.

“There’s something else,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Read these.” She held up two aged pieces of notebook paper. The folds were so deep they were practically canyons on the paper.

I opened the first one.

Marley,

You and me. Homecoming. Don’t tell anyone. We need to play it cool since you just broke up with Travis. See you at the dance.

Jake

Horrified, I searched her face. “Mars, do I look like the kind of guy to ask a girl to be my secret date in anote?” I demanded.

“No, you do not. And I’m sorry for ever thinking that you did. Read the next one.”

I read, flinched.

Marley,

I decided to take Amie Jo to Homecoming instead. She’s obviously more my type. Good luck with everything.

Jake

“You spent twenty years thinking I dumped you for Amie Jo?” So many things clicked into place. Her worry that I’d just move on and forget about her. Her reluctance to trust me. Hell, I couldn’t believe she’d let me anywhere near her after thinking I was capable of such a dick move.