The Hating Game

by Sally Thorne

“So you came over to grill me on my life choices?” I catch his fingertips and hold his hand between mine. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else tonight. I was crawling out of my skin.” I’m proud I had the courage to say it. He turns back to me and the expression in his eyes is softer. “My leg was jiggling like this.” I demonstrate and he grins. “You should have seen me driving here. I was laughing like I’d broken out of prison. I was completely deranged.” “Do you think you’ve finally cracked your sanity?” “For sure. The weird need to stare at your pretty face completely overwhelmed me. I had the energy of twenty atom bombs.” “Why do you think I go to the gym so much?” A big bubble of happiness fills me. I struggle upright and lean against him, my head falling easily into the perfect cradle of his neck. It’s true; he fits me everywhere. “You never have to explain your choices. Not to me, not to anyone.”