Page 186 of The Surprise Play

“And Wily’s not too good for you. You’re equally good for each other. And you will regret it forever if you walk away from that man because of what those girls said. Because you’re embarrassed or think you’re undeserving.” Her expression crumples with desperation. “He loves you.”

“But why?” My voice catches. I’m trying so hard to believe all the nice things she’s saying to me, but seriously… Wily and I look like such a mismatch. “I don’t understand how someone as beautiful and amazing as him would want me when he could haveanybodyelse.”

Mom licks her lips, shaking her head like she’s trying to summon some kind of calm. After a painful beat, she looks at me and smiles. “Why don’t you go and ask him? Find out for yourself.”

I frown. “He’s too nice to tell me the truth. He’ll just say something sweet, even if he doesn’t mean it.”

“And now you’re projecting.” Mom rolls her eyes, obviously losing patience with me. “Why do you let those nasty people get in your head? I think the fact that you walked away and left him hanging is probably breaking his heart. He’s probably just had the worst night of his life, knowing how upset you are and not being able to do anything about it. It’s cruel, Elizabeth. You can’t just leave it like this.”

I swallow, guilt hitting me like a battering ram.

Oh my gosh, I hadn’t thought about it like that. He’s been calling and texting, apologizing, begging me to get back to him, and I’ve been hiding myself away. Wallowing in self-pity and not even considering how he must be feeling.

How could I be so selfish?

I fist my pajama top, feeling sick.

“Love doesn’t have to be complicated. When it’s right, it’s the simplest thing in the world. And I know, because I married the man I was meant to be with. We fell in love within weeks of meeting, and we knew it was right. We could feel it in our souls.”

I love the way Mom’s face softens when she talks about Dad.

“Do you love Wily? Does he light you up?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Then you go and do something about it. Don’t you dare let those girls steal something beautiful away from you. You go and youfightfor what you want. And don’t call me again until you have.”

“Mom—”

“I mean it.” She points at the camera, and I’ve never seen her so stern before. “You go and you get your man right now, young lady.”

All I can do is nod.

“Okay. I love you.” She tinkles her fingers at me, blows a kiss, and then hangs up like we’ve just been having a chat about the weather.

I stare at my black phone screen, then rest my head back against the wall and gaze across the room until my vision goes blurry.

I’m so tired.

A big part of me just wants to lie back down and burrow under the covers.

But Mom’s words won’t leave me alone. They eat and fester until my entire body is itching. But this itch is different. It’s not a hot, stingy burn. It’s an antsy sensation that makes it impossible to sit still.

So, I get off the bed, battling a plethora of emotions as I grab my comfiest dress and softest cardigan from the closet. I brush my teeth, wincing at my blotchy reflection in the mirror, then head for my boots.

I have to go.

I can’t keep Wily hanging like this, and a text isn’t good enough.

I need to see him, look him in the eye.

Snatching my bag off the hook, I drop my phoneinside and pause by the door. My fingers are shaking as I get ready to leave the safety of my room.

But Mom’s right.

Jade and her friends have been haunting me for years, stealing my high school experience, shitting all over this new opportunity in college.

Am I really going to let them take Wily too?