AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know.” Madd’s voice is small. “But we’ll see each other. We’ll see so much of each other you’ll be sick of me.”
“That’s impossible.” I hiccup a laugh.
A knock fractures the moment. Maddy’s questioning look mirrors my own turmoil.
“Ten guesses who that might be.”
“I think we only need one,” I say. With a heavy sigh, I drag my way to the door, each step heavy with dread and doubt.
Opening it, I’m met with Blake—unkempt hair falling slightly into his tired, shadowed eyes, his once neat scruff a wild mess. He looks as haggard as I feel.
“Can we talk?” His voice is soft, almost pleading.
Conflict rages within me. Part of me wants to slam the door shut; another part, starved for closure, urges me to listen. Before I can respond, Maddy shoots me a reassuring glance and slips out, giving us some privacy.
I step back, gesturing him inside. As Blake enters, his familiar scent wraps around me, a haunting reminder of our last good night together. Has it only been a week? It feels like a lifetime ago.
His gaze searches mine for either forgiveness or understanding. I’m not quite sure. “I’m sorry about earlier. Leaving you hanging was wrong.”
I stand there frozen, caught in a storm of memories and what-ifs. And that sucks. I used to feel comfort in his presence, as if he always looked out for me. But not now. Not with his maze of broken trust between us.
Something inside me snaps, and I can’t hold back the anger any longer. “I trusted you to be there. But what really hurts is your blatant disrespect. A simple text would’ve been enough.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just…” He throws his head back, frustration etched in every line of his face. But he still can’t bring himself to open up, and that reluctance creates a chasm between us.
“You just what? Gave up?” I accuse.
“That’s not fair. I?—”
“Blake, you bailed at the first sign of struggle.” I interrupt, not in the mood to hear useless excuses. “And the sad part is, I understand why. But you gave up on us without talking to me first. I know your entire world came crashing down. And I tried to understand and be there for you. But I can’t make you accept my help. I can’t make you let me in.”
He looks at me, eyes filled with regret. “I screwed up. But I’m here to fix this.”
Doubt wars with hope as I face him, my heart a tight knot. Crossing my arms over my chest, I fight off the threatening tears in my eyes. “What is it you want, Blake?”
Blake runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. “I was wrong, Amanda. I was so focused on my problems that I shut you out without realizing it. I never should’ve left things unsaid.”
His admission stirs a tumult of feelings. I’m torn between wanting to forgive and fearing to hope. I love him so much, but I can’t risk my future for a guy. Not anymore. Not when he doesn’t have the courtesy to text or call. I deserve so much more.
“What do you want from me, Blake?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Why didn’t you tell me about not getting your internship?”
“What?” How would he know that? The only person who knew was Maddy. “How did you know?—”
“Answer the question, Amanda. Why didn’t you tell me about not getting it?”
“Because you had so much going on. Your dad, everything … It was never a good time.”
“No. You found out the night of the Gala. You should’ve told me then.”
“What difference does it make?”
“If you knew you were leaving, why come back to my place with me that night? Why say you love me?”
Blake’s words cut through me like a shard of glass, each syllable scraping against my raw emotions. I collapse onto the couch, confusion and pain silently screaming within me.
Looking into his eyes, I find a sliver of strength. Those threatening tears are on the brink of spilling over.
