For the rest of the ride, I was quiet.
Then, I passed out.
04
I woke up in the hospital.
My best friend, Sarah, was there with me.
I hugged her, acting all dramatic. “You finally
<
got back from your honeymoon?”
“Did you forget about me now that you have
a husband?”
She just laughed, “Stop it. You were running a
fever of 104. You almost turned into a
vegetable.”
“You’re still on an IV, lay down.”
I lay down and looked around the room.
Then, I said, “Wait, how did you know I was
here?”
“Whoever took you to the hospital, that’s who
called me.”
Sarah was giving me a hard look. “How did
<
you get mixed up with Matt’s brother?”
When she said Ben’s name, the image of the
car flashed into my mind.
I blushed, all the way to my roots.
Sarah was shocked.
“Taylor, you don’t like, like, Matt’s brother, do
you?”
I pulled the blanket over my face.
Muffled, I replied, “I wanted us to be sisters-
in–law. And Ben is so good–looking and
single, perfect!”
I explained my campaign of chasing Ben.
く
Sarah laughed. “Taylor, it touches my heart
that you care about me so much.”
“But this isn’t a game. You have to marry
someone you love.”
“I should have known, you’ve always had guys
chasing you. You never cared about them.”
“You were always saying all men are scum.
So, now you’re suddenly pursuing someone?
And just for me?
“You’re like a little kid. That’s not how love
works.”
I argued, “Ben’s so hot! It’s love! Lust, too!”
“He’s always dressed so professionally. It
drives me crazy. I wanna see him naked.”
<
“And his hands are my obsession. I want to
bite them.”
I got carried away.
Then someone knocked at the door.
Matt was standing there, smirking, and gave
me a thumbs–up.
Ben was stoic, his cool eyes moving to mine,
and saw the look of panic in my eyes.
I covered my face with the blanket.
05
Ben had come because my laptop was still in
his car.
<
He put the laptop down and left, not saying a
word.
I stayed hidden until he was gone.
Matt came to take Sarah home, and gave me
a ride, too.
I was done with my IV.
In the car, Matt teased me.
“Wow, you dared to go after my brother.”
“But dude, you’re so not his type.”
“Just give it up.
I didn’t like Matt, so I refused to give in.
“Whether I’m his type is up to him to decide.”
L
“Just you wait, you’ll be calling me sister–in-
law next year.
Matt snorted. “Dream on.”
I wrapped my arms around Sarah, who was
laughing at us.
“Baby, I’m not feeling well. I wanna sleep with
you tonight.”
“Don’t go home.”
She smelled so good. It was such a waste
that Matt had her.
“Taylor! Get away from my wife!”
“No way!”
<
Sarah sighed, “Okay, okay, stop it.”
“Taylor’s not feeling well, I don’t wanna leave
her alone.”
“I’ll stay with her tonight.”
Matt was fuming but had no choice but to
give in.
06
Sarah stayed with me for one night, and the
next day, Matt picked her up.
I might have told Matt I’d be his sister–in-
law, but I hadn’t texted Ben again.
What happened in the car, and what he had
said, still freaked me out.
く
I’d lost my nerve.
And to be honest, I was embarrassed.
I might talk trash, but I’m a romantic at heart.
I’ve never had a boyfriend.
And thinking about touching him that day?
I just couldn’t face him.
After a week of recovery, I decided to ask
Sarah out for some shopping.
But then a scandal hit the news.
Matt Harrison, caught in a hotel with his high
school sweetheart! They spent the night at
the hotel and didn’t leave until the next day!
<
The photos showed Matt hugging some
woman in the hotel lobby.
I was furious.
I was about to call Matt and tell him off, but
he didn’t pick up.
Then, I got a call from Sarah.
She was crying and saying she wanted a
divorce.
I did my best to console her and declared, “Okay, I’ll be there with you when you do
this.”
Then, I went and got her.
Her eyes were all puffy and red from crying.
く
I knew it. That Matt was no good.
And look what happened, he couldn’t even
wait a full year.
I didn’t say anything out loud, though.
Because Sarah was too upset.
I was furious and heartbroken for her.
Matt called me, and I blocked his number.
