The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game 1)

“I wish. ” I grabbed my stomach as it cramped once more.

“I’m so sorry, Cassie. I can’t believe this is happening. ” Melissa kneeled down and wrapped her arms around me, her warmth penetrating my chilled body. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Eventually. Just not right now. ”

“Does Dean know?” She leaned her head against mine.

“I have no idea. ”

“Come on, get up. ” Melissa stood and linked her arms with mine.

I shuddered. “I’m afraid to move too far away from the toilet. ”

“I’ll grab you a trash can. You need to lie down. ” She carried the brunt of my weight on her tiny frame, practically falling with me once we reached my bed.

I crawled on top of my dark blue comforter and plopped my head on the pillow, Jack’s voice replaying in my mind. “What if I can’t sleep?”

“If you can’t sleep, we’ll figure it out. I bet you’re more exhausted than you realize. You’ve had a traumatic day,” she said, her fingers brushing against my hair.

I nodded. “It’s been a little rough. ”

“Try and sleep. I’ll be in the living room if you need me. ” She leaned down to give me a half hug before leaving my room.

I crawled under the comforter and snuggled into my bed, wrapping my covers into a safe, warm cocoon around myself as I begged my body to shut down. Implored my mind to turn itself off. I knew I’d only be able to find non-vomit-inducing peace in sleep.

Later, I opened my eyes to the sound of the alarm buzzing. I hit the snooze button before the reality of my situation crashed down all around me. That split second before I remembered was so peaceful, then it was gone. There would be no more peace for me today.

I looked at my cell phone, half tempted to turn it on and throw it against the wall. I ignored it as I shoved out of bed to get dressed.

“Cass, you up?” Melissa hollered from the other room.

“I’m up. ” My voice was so hoarse from crying, I had to try twice to get the words out.

“I can’t believe you just woke up. ” Melissa walked into my room, her concern for me apparent in her expression.

“Me either. ” I cleared my throat, longing for some warm tea with honey to ease the burning there.

“Have you heard from him at all?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t turned my phone on. ”

“You don’t have to. And you don’t have to go to class either, you know?”

“I can’t sit here and cry all day,” I whispered through my pain. “I need a distraction. ”

“Okay. ” She gave me a quick squeeze before leaving me alone.

*****

The next few days were a blur as I found it difficult to concentrate on anything other than my failed relationship. Classes were a great distraction…in theory. But the reality was that everything reminded me of Jack, and no matter how many lectures I heard on Visual Reporting or Comm Law, nothing held my attention with greater force than my own destructive mind.

My phone stayed off until my mom called Melissa’s cell phone, frantic that I was either kidnapped or dead since my phone kept going straight to voice mail. When I finally did turn it on, seven new voice mail notifications appeared. All seven were from my mom, each one increasing in overdramatized panic.

The blue text message envelope lingered at the top of my screen, begging for me to press it. Eight new text messages from Jack. Eight.

I am so sorry, Cass. Please tell me you know how sorry I am.

How did I screw us up this badly?