Her breaths are uneven but she smiles and raises her hands to grip over mine. “F-Funny. I was just thinking that about you.”
Something in my chest breaks. My heart maybe, splitting down the middle in a fissure created by Marlow. It kills me because I want her. Not just in my bed. But in my life, next to me, as a partner. But there’s no way in hell someone like her could want to be with someone like me. I’m older, harsh, and she’s much younger.
She’s got a bright future ahead of her where she’ll meet plenty of boys her age who’ll make her happier…right?
The thought of another man with Marlow turns my palate sour.
This is just for tonight, but I still push away tomorrow’s reality and do the only thing I can right now.
I lean down and kiss Marlow.
Chapter Seven
MARLOW
It’s been five days since Thane and I hooked up in the solarium, which means five days since we’ve been avoiding each other after agreeing that it was ‘Just for tonight.’
I thought it would be simple. We’d get each other out of our systems and move on with our lives, but I was wrong. After one taste, I fear I’m addicted and want more of him. He’s the personification of my every living fantasy, the man I’ve obsessed over for three years, and it was foolish of me to think that we could walk away unscathed.
Well, it was foolish of me to assumeIcould walk away unscathed, I should say.
Thane seems to be fine.
We haven’t been alone since the solarium and Michaela is usually with me whenever we bump into him—mostly for breakfast in the kitchen—and he gives us a stoic head-nod, a plate of pancakes, mugs of coffees, and grunts something in the semblance of ‘Have a good day. I’m headed out.’
I’ve seen him every day on the field because of my cheer practices and the college’s football games.
His gaze never snapped my way, laser-focused on his players instead.
I hate to admit that it upset me. Was I not even worthy of a simple ‘Good morning’ or ‘Hi, Marlow?’
Thane’s lack of acknowledgement left me feeling hollow. Cheap. Inconsequential.
I haven’t felt that way since before eighteen, when I was bouncing around from one foster home to another.
Which is why I made the decision Friday morning that I would move out of his home.
Our apartment situation was worse than we thought. Due to the landlord delaying building maintenance, the overall result is damaged walls and ceilings on multiple floors. Unfortunately, Michaela and I can’t return there.
Not to mention, Michaela has been enjoying being back in her childhood home. Can’t say I blame her. In these last handful of days, I’ve watched Michaela and Thane have these little conversations that lead to easy smiles and laughter, and it looks like they’re healing.
I’m certain they’ll be okay.
Plus, just yesterday, Thane told us we can live here as long as we need, no rent required. It’s also convenient due to the reduced commute to school. There was a bright sparkle in Michaela’s eyes at the suggestion and last night, she told me we should stay here and save money.
I’m happy for her. I really am. She deserves to mend old wounds and have a relationship with her brother again. But she grew up in this home, so it makes sense that she would want to stay.
Me, on the other hand? I feel like a burden.
Michaela is my best friend and she desperately wants me here. I love her to death, but I can’t be under the same roof as Thane.
Though he hasn’t said it out loud, I already know he regrets what happened between us. For what it’s worth, I didn’t tell Michaela. I don’t plan to either, since I don’t want to cause any unnecessary issues.
So, I quietly packed my bags and tonight, once we return from this house party Michaela is demanding we attend…I will leave.
I have yet to figure out where I’ll live, but I just know it can’t be here.
“Knock, knock,” Michaela’s voice comes muffled from the other side of the door. “Can I come in?”
