Gemotions

Rain lashed against the windows, mirroring the tempest inside Leo. He'd agreed to Sarah's party, a quiet dinner at a new Italian place, but then, Liam had called, begging him to come to his huge, blowout bash at the arcade. He’d told Sarah a lie about a family obligation and now, here he was, surrounded by flashing lights and roaring games, while Sarah’s carefully chosen restaurant remained cold and empty.

He kept glancing at his phone, expecting a text, a call, anything. The happy chaos of the arcade felt hollow, the sugary sweetness of the pizza cloying. His stomach churned with a familiar unease.

Liam slapped him on the back, offering a fist bump. Leo forced a smile, the muscles in his face protesting. He hadn’t felt a pang of such heaviness in ages. He really hoped he hadn't messed up their friendship for good. He was already planning what he could do to make it up to her.