Page 83 of Wristlocked

“Of course he didn’t drop me. Why would he do that when you just handed him everything he ever wanted wrapped up in a nice little Gia-shaped bow?”

“I know you think your father and I are too old to understand, but we have eyes, Gia darling. We saw you together over Christmas. I know you care for each other.”

“I love Lyot.”

“Are those things mutually exclusive? What you have might be unconventional, even rare, but that doesn’t mean it’s not love.”

“Lyot doesn’t hurt me.”He doesn’t hurt me.My eyes burn as the goddamn tears start again. This was a bad idea.

“Has Gale hurt you, darling?” Her voice is soft with concern.

In all the ways I wanted and the one way I didn’t.

“Yes,” I gasp through the ache in my throat.

“Do you want me to withdraw our endorsement of him?”

I could give him back to Celeste. The thought nearly bowls me off the couch, curled around the instant wave of nausea that stabs through me.I can’t give him back to Celeste.

“No,” I manage to croak out. “No, don’t give her the satisfaction.”

“Darling, listen to me. The whole point of having a name with influence is not about money, invitations, or spots on the judges’ panel. The real blessing is being able to use that influence to help the people you love. Your father and I love you. No one doubts you love Lyot, but I suspect you also love Gale. Are you absolutely sure he doesn’t deserve that love?”

“No,” I whisper, so low that I’m not sure she hears me.

“Do you want to come home?”

“No.” My voice is stronger this time, but still broken. I’m not sure where I belong right now or what kind of love I deserve. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Mom. Go back to bed.”

Jo is standing over me when I lift my head from my knees.

“I’m letting Lyot in now,” she says. “You’ve left him out in the cold long enough.”

“How long have you been sitting out there?”

“Since about twenty minutes after you got here.”

“Fucking Jo. I told her not to call you.”

“She didn’t call me. I had your keys. You weren’t in your room. Where else would you go?”

We’re in his bedroom now, Lyot watching me from the edge of his bed while I huddle on the floor against the wall, still wrapped in Jo’s blanket.

“You can keep fucking him,” I say.

“Don’t be cruel.”

“How is that cruel? You know you want to.”

“Jesus, Gia.Youwant to. And he and I are only together in the first place because of you. We’re not a couple.”

“Gale and I aren’t a couple either.”

“I know. Neither are you and me.”

“So you’re breaking up with me because of him? After all the months you spent fighting me over it?”

“You’re not listening. God, you two are peas in a fucking pod.” He shakes his head and nudges me gently with his foot. “Yousaid it, Gia—you and Gale needed me to make you whole, remember? Well, you got me, and now we need him to makeuswhole too. And he and I need you. It doesn’t work any other way, and you know it.”