I offer a smile and take comfort in her strength. “I know that you said you don’t blame me for anything that happened, but I still feel partly to blame. I feel like I should’ve seen it coming because I spent so much time covering for Pete and his behaviour that it became the norm for me.”
Emmy’s smile is kind. “I always believed you were the perfect couple, but Hayleigh, I didn’t see any cracks. He wasextremelyclever at hiding his true self.”
I shrug one shoulder. “Cas figured it out, but I didn’t.”
“I guess he did, but he was an outsider, and Pete had already wound himself through your brain. He was cruel, and he knew exactly how to act in front of others so that if you ever told anyone how he was with you, then you’d be the crazy one.”
I nodded. “Ifeltlike the crazy one, but I don’t anymore…” I trail off as Emmy cocks a brow.
“Okay, I’ve let you have your time, but now I want the truth. What are you and Nate?”
Oh god, I don’t even know myself.
I shake my head, huffing out a laugh. “I have no idea, but I do know that he’s amazing in every way. He makes me feel seen, Emmy. I don’t feel scared with him, more like I can take on the world.”
She nods. “It’s because you have someone beside you who has your back.”
“The only way I can explain it is that my life was set in stone before I met Nate. It went in one straight line, following my list, but with Nate, he created a new list for me, and he didn’t laugh atthe things I wanted to put on it; he supported me with them. He doesn’t belittle me, he lifts me up.”
Emmy tilts her head to the side. “Sounds like there’s a but coming?”
Shaking my head slightly, I offer a watery smile. “Not with him, it’s with me. I’m scared, Em. Scared that what I didn’t notice with Pete I could miss again. What if I make the mistake of letting go only to find out it wasn’t the right thing to do?”
“I’m not going to sit here and tell you that what you’re doing is right; that isn’t for me to decide, but I can tell you that you’re not stupid, Hayleigh. Deep down, you knew what Pete was like, but becausehewas so good at manipulating everyone around him, people couldn’t help but fall in line. That isn’t on you.”
I smile at her. “I’m happy that you’re finally who you’re supposed to be.”
She wiggles in her seat. “Why, thank you. So come on, tell me what else Nate Peterson is good at.”
My cheeks heat. “Sex. The sex is off the charts–” I laugh my head off when Emmy puts her fingers in her ears, singing la-la-la.
She shakes her head. “Please don’t, not the details, I can’t.” She fakes gagging, and we both crack up laughing. She sobers up and rests her head on her hand, smiling. “Honestly, I’m happy you’re happy, and I’m glad you’re finally opening up.”
I open my mouth to respond, but I don’t get a chance when a voice speaks up from the side of our table, a voice that feels like thousands of tiny icicles are piercing my skin.
“Hi, Emmy, Hayleigh. How are you?”
I turn in my seat, taking a quick look at Emmy to make sure she’s okay before coming face to face with none other than Emmy’s piece of shit ex and Pete’s worthless brother, Chad, or Count Dickless as we used to call him.
I cross my arms, not letting the fact that he’s hanging over us both get to me. I level him with my best I’m-a-bitch-stare. “Chad, what a displeasure it is seeing you here. What do you fucking want?”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “I deserved that–”
I cut him off. “You’re damn right you deserve it. I thought you didn’t live here anymore?”
He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “I don’t, but I was here to…” He trails off, looking at Emmy with sudden unease.
I click my fingers. “Hey, eyes back here, you don’t need to talk to her.”
His eyes cut to me before he wipes a hand down his face. “Okay, I’m just going to say this. My father died of a heart attack, and my mother is petitioning the courts and using all the power she has to get Pete out on supervised visits, firstly to attend the funeral and–”
“To get him out for good?” I finish off for him, and he nods. A skittering of fear rushes through me when I think of Pete getting out.
I don’t know what to say or what to think. I know I should have some witty comeback, but I freeze, and that look he’s giving me makes me want to puke –Pity.
“Thanks for letting us know, Chad, but we aren’t interested in anything your brother says or does, and if he comes near any of us, know his life won’t be worth living.” Emmy’s voice floats through the air, as cold as steel, but it does the trick.
Chad nods once before turning to leave, stopping and turning back to face us. “I realise I did a lot of shitty things to you, Emmy, but I did love you in my own way, and I wanted you to know I’m against Pete’s release.” With that, he turns and walks away as if he hasn’t dropped a giant shit bomb on us both.
