The Ultimate Bet

“Keep one thing in mind, boy. You don’t own that girl. She’s your girlfriend. That’s all.”

“But dad, I—”

“Be quiet and listen to me. You don’t own her. She’s got a life of her own her. You’ve got no claim on her. When you realize that and accept it, this won’t seem so terrible. Sure, I know you think you’re in love with her—”

“I am, Dad. I love her.”

“Okay. Let’s say you do. That don’t mean shit if she doesn’t feel the same way. And does she? I doubt it, considering she went out with another guy and lied to you about it. You can’t control her, any more than she can control you. Accept what’s happening and be strong. Stay detached. I’m telling you. When you look at it like that, this ain’t going to be so bad.”

They were silent, then his father shoved Jim lightly on the shoulder. “Can’t you see what’s going on? She’s playing both ends against the middle. She’s keeping you on the hook until she’s sure she’s got the other guy snagged.”

Jim’s eyes protruded. “She wouldn’t do that. She’s not—”

“Are you going to listen to me or not? Let me tell you something. It’s crazy, but it’s true. At least from my experience, the less you care about things like this, the more the ladies like you. Be indifferent. Just don’t give a shit, or at least pretend you don’t. Don’t tip your hand. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve. When you start acting like that, really feeling like that, you’ll have plenty of girls, believe me. Let them know you have feelings for them but that if they dropped off the earth tomorrow, you’d feel terrible but just go on with your life.”