Chapter 6: The Guilt Trip

Derek and Natalie grew up in the same neighborhood in Savannah. Their parents were close too, the kind of Southern families that invite each other over for every birthday and Fourth of July barbecue.

A few days later, this reached her mom. Her mom spoke gently on the phone, her voice carrying that mix of understanding and gentle guilt only moms can deliver. "Derek… has always had poor boundaries since he was a kid. It’s right for you to remind him, but if you kicked him out of the car… that’s a bit much…"

"Derek threw a tantrum when he got home, refused to eat, had a high fever that night, and only got better after three days in the hospital…"

After hanging up, Natalie was wracked with guilt. She sat cross-legged on the edge of her bed, knees bouncing, eyes rimmed red. She looked up at me, voice trembling. "Alex, should we apologize to him…?"

[Why does the lead need to ask the second-string boyfriend? Just do what you want, follow your heart. Your heart already knows how much you care, the main guy is waiting for you.]

[Yeah, don’t you know how distracted you’ve been lately? Just comfort him and the main guy will be fine.]

[No more tragic love, can the second-string boyfriend leave already? I want to see hearts and kisses!]

[Don’t worry, the plot’s coming. This dinner will be a major turning point for the main guy and lead’s relationship. The soft lead will realize only Derek truly cares for her.]

Natalie pouted in frustration, cheeks puffing out the way they did when she was fighting tears. She made up her mind. "I’ll call him and invite him to dinner to apologize."

I nodded slowly, forcing a smile that felt like a Band-Aid over a bullet wound. "Okay. I support you."