The Complication (The Program #6)(45)

“Why does she want to find you?” I ask.

“Several reasons, I’m sure. But the main one? Sloane Barstow. She burned up Dr. Warren pretty good.”

My mouth falls open. This time, I’m the one who leans closer. “You know her?” I ask. “You know Sloane Barstow?”

“And James Murphy—yes.” He glances around at the empty tables before taking a big, steadying breath, like this was a long story. “I met Sloane in The Program. Met James after. He’s the kind of guy you love to hate, if only he were hateable.”

There’s affection in his voice, and it draws me to his story. “Why did you want to hate him?” I ask.

Realm glances down at his coffee and lifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Because I was in love with Sloane.”

“Oh . . .”

“I know,” he says, interpreting my reaction. “Sloane and James forever. Still, I thought I had a chance. But they love each other a maddening amount. Sickening to watch, really.”

“And you don’t hate James?” I ask.

“He’s my best friend.”

“Okay . . . that’s got to be awkward.”

“It is,” Realm agrees. “But he knows I love her, and I know she loves him. So he doesn’t have much to worry about.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No reason to be sorry.” Realm waves off my apology. “I knew their relationship. I should have adjusted my goals accordingly.”

“Yeah, well,” I say, picking up my coffee. “The past is over. Sometimes, the only real thing is now.”

Realm’s lips part as he watches me take a sip of my drink, his dark eyes sweeping over my face. When they meet my gaze, he flinches a smile, a blush rising high on his cheeks.

“Right,” he says with a quick nod. “You’re damn right, Tatum.”

I’m about to commiserate on our similar situations when Realm pulls back and takes out his phone. I see he’s getting a call. He groans softly and clicks off the phone before sliding it back into his pocket.

“I’m so sorry to cut this short,” he says. “But I’m running late. I was supposed to meet someone an hour ago.” He smiles as he stands up from the table. “I got caught up chatting with you.”

He’s kind of flirtatious. Manipulative? I’m not sure, but I stand up too. “Did you need a ride back?” I ask.

“No, I’ve got a ride coming,” he says, although there’s no way that’s true. I still can’t believe he knows Sloane and James. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into by talking to him.

“What aren’t you telling me, Realm?” I ask.

He laughs and slaps the table. “Obviously, a lot,” he admits, picking up his coffee. “So let’s talk again soon, yeah?”

I don’t tell him that we will, mostly because I’m not sure what all this means. I’m definitely going to check his story against whatever Marie and Dr. McKee admit.

“Good luck with your rebellion,” I tell Realm, making him smile.

I start toward the exit and drop my empty coffee cup into the trash, but before I walk out, Realm gently touches my shoulder. I turn to him, slightly unsettled by being so close.

“If it means anything,” he says, “I don’t think you should give up on Wes. Having a history with someone . . . although it may not be everything you thought it was, it did help create who you are now. He’s part of you. You don’t have to forget that.”

I’m not sure why, but his words hit me hard, and I instantly feel a lump in my throat.

Realm offers a smile, and there’s a long pause like he might hug me. But then he turns and walks through the automatic doors and out into the parking lot.

? ? ?

It’s been a weird day. I text Nathan again, telling him I need to talk to him. I don’t want to specifically call out Jana in case she sees his phone. And beyond his girlfriend talking with a sketchy guy from school, I have to tell him about my run-in with Realm, the bombshell about Dr. Warren, and my current status with Wes. Once again, Nathan doesn’t answer. I text Foster, and he responds that he’s with Arturo and asks if he can call me later.

I still have an hour before I’m supposed to meet Nathan at the Adjustment office, and I don’t think it’d be smart to go there alone. I can go home to think about everything I learned today, but I’m dreading it. I abruptly left Dr. Warren’s office, and she probably already called my grandparents and told them. They might show up, and then how do I explain? I can’t.

But I’m going to the Adjustment office in a little while, and by the end of the day . . . I might know everything. And once I do, I will confront everyone. No more deceit. No more fucking lying.

I just have to pretend for a bit longer.

I glance at the clock on my dashboard, not wanting to be alone. I have nowhere to go, and few people know about my predicament. Even fewer that I can trust. And even though I was determined to be better, Michael Realm has left me thinking. If I don’t have to forget Wes, can I still be his friend? Can I still confide in him?

There was hurt and pain in our relationship, but there was also friendship—true friendship. Maybe I should be building on that, creating something new and positive for both of us. I want to be that strong. I want to be the kind of person who can do that.