Howard.
“I don’t think taking her out on a date just this once would kill you, Howard. It’s her eighteenth birthday.”
As the basketball bounced off the hoop, frustration continued to build inside me as Alex persisted in his irritating suggestion. His words rang in my ears, but I kept my focus on the game, trying to drown out his incessant prodding.
"It's her eighteenth birthday, man. You should take her out. Show her some kindness after all the hurt you've caused," Alex repeated, seemingly unfazed by my silence.
I paused and turned to face him, my face contorting into a scowl. "She deserves everything but me. She deserves a chance at happiness, not the pain I've given her," I retorted, my voice laced with frustration and anger.
Alex rolled his eyes, seemingly exasperated with my stubb
