Page 18 of The Love You Hate

“What are you frustrated about then?” Ryan asks. “How is it possible to be frustrated with yourself? Personally, I love myself too much to ever be angry with myself.” He’s trying and failing at brightening the mood.

“I hold myself to high standards and I find myself wavering in ways I never dreamed before.” Presley cringes even though she thinks no one is watching. She’s having some real internal bullshit happening today. “I’m not wholly frustrated with myself; I’m frustrated with some of my thoughts.”

“Well, that sounds complicated.”

“More like the opposite. Simple. I’m going to have to settle for something or someone simpler if I’m ever going to get laid again.”

My eyes pop wide open, and Ryan chokes on air as his cheeks flush. “Sorry I asked,” Ryan hisses.

“Don’t be. Junkyard Jake, here I come.”

Something akin to battery acid rises in the back of my throat.