AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,” I whisper. I can’t even look them in the eyes. I stare at the floor instead, afraid of what they might say.
I know better, right?
I mean, I do know better.
I thought I did anyway.
I take a deep breath and wipe away some of my tears. “He was so loving at first. As soon as I fell in love with him, he changed. Not right away. But slowly over time. I keep waiting to see the old Alex, the sweet one who is generous and caring. Instead, it’s only getting worse.”
“Oh, Maia. I’m so sorry,” Everleigh says as she rubs my back.
“Me too. I had no idea,” Len says.
“How could I? I’ve kind of ignored our friendships these past few months, and for that, I’m sorry. I really am.”
“Don’t worry about it. First love is understandable,” Ev responds, and Len nods in agreement.
Len takes my hand in hers. “Maybe it’s time to break up with him. And I’m going to have a word with him. He’ll be sorry he ever said anything rude to you.”
“You don’t have to, Len. It’s not worth?—”
“Don’t defend him. He doesn’t deserve it.” Lennox squeezes my hand, though, and only love shines in her eyes. “I love you. You deserve way better than him.”
“Ditto,” Everleigh echoes.
“But I love him,” I say, and I don’t know who I’m trying to convince more—myself or them.
“That’s not love, Maia. That’s toxic,” Ev says. “If he truly loved you, he wouldn’t say those things to you. And I think you know that. More than you want to believe.”
I sigh as more tears run down my cheeks, leaving hot trails of sadness and regret and everything else shitty. They hug me tighter and don’t let go until my sobs subside.
“You’ve got this. I know you do,” Len says as she hugs me tight. I turn to hug Ev when a knock on the door makes us all jump.
The three of us get to our feet.
“It better not be Alex,” Len says through gritted teeth.
“I’ll answer it.” I step forward and reach for the doorknob, but Len beats me to it.
“I got it.” She rushes to the door and yells, “Who is it?”
“Rhett.”
My body stiffens, and those butterflies, the ones that always seem to show up around him, take flight.
Rhett? What’s he doing here?
Chapter 9
Rhett
I feel stupid showing up at Maia’s apartment after having said good night to her not too long ago.
But it’s not like I expected to. When I could no longer spend another second in my room, I decided maybe a ride would help. Like fresh air was the only thing that could make me feel better.
That’s when I saw she left her water bottle and her sweatshirt in my car. I didn’t want to bother her, but I figured she might want her stuff, or she’d spend time looking for it when she doesn’t need to.
Ha. Excuses, excuses.
