Hate Notes

by Vi Keeland

Taking a deep breath in and out, I conceded, “Ass over head in love with her.” “Then be with her. She knows everything about you. She’s accepted it. Be with her, Reed.” “What if I can’t? What if the guilt is too much? How do I leave her? Tell me how to leave her.” “There’s no happy medium. Either you be with her, or you stop. You just stop cold turkey. You don’t lead her on anymore, and you don’t try to be her friend, or be her fucking hero, because we both know that’s a bunch of bullshit. You’re beyond that point. And I hate to say it, but you really can’t work together if you decide to walk away from this. That shit won’t work. You’ll continue to slip, and you’ll end up in the same situation, and that’s not fair. So either shit or get off the pot. And you’d better find her a new job if you decide to walk away. She’ll be okay. Believe me, there are plenty of men who would love to lick her wounds.”