Chapter Sixteen
Freddy
"So," I said, sitting down across from Jonah at the bar. "You look like shit."
"Thanks."
"I'm serious. When's the last time you slept? Ate? Showered?"
"I don't know. A few days ago?"
I sighed. "You need to let her go, man."
"I know."
"Do you? Because you're sitting here drinking alone at two in the afternoon, looking like you're about to fall apart."
"I fucked up, Freddy. I had something good, and I destroyed it because I was too scared to commit."
"Yeah, you did. But wallowing isn't going to change anything. You need to move on."
"How? How do I move on from her?"
"The same way everyone does. One day at a time. You focus on yourself, figure out why you sabotaged the relationship, and you do better next time."
"There won't be a next time. She was it for me."
"Bullshit. You're twenty-four. You'll meet someone else."
"Not like her."
"Maybe not. Maybe you will never love anyone as much as you did Lindor, or hopefully the way you did. But maybe that's a good thing. Maybe you need someone different. Someone who won't put up with your controlling bullshit. Someone who'll call you out when you're being an asshole."
He was quiet for a long moment. Then he said, "I saw them together. At a coffee shop. They looked... happy."
"They are happy. Axel's good for her. He treats her right."
"I could have treated her right."
"But you didn't. And now you get to live with that." I finished my drink. "Look, I'm not trying to be a dick. I'm trying to help. You need to accept that it's over and move forward. Lindor has. It's time you did too."
"I don't know how."
"Start by forgiving yourself. Then work on being better. And for fuck's sake, eat something and take a shower. You smell like a dumpster."
He laughed, weak but genuine. "Thanks, Freddy."
"Anytime, man. That's what friends are for."
I left him there, hoping he'd actually take my advice.
But knowing Jonah, he probably wouldn't.