Page 9 of Hard to Love

Bile rises in my throat as I spew those last words, watching a tear roll down her cheek. I hate myself right now. She hates me too. It’s for the best; I’ll never think otherwise. It’s in her best interest. Whatever it takes to warn her off.

Stepping closer to me, her words are a whisper but very clear. “Stay. The. Fuck. Away. From. Me.” Moving away from me, she hits her stride once her feet are on the sand.

Don’t know how that situation could have turned out any better. Just like I thought, I’m fucked. I need to leave if I can figure out how to tell One. Damn, what a fucking mess.

Chapter Six

Thayer

Don’t cry. Don’t you dare shed a fucking tear. He doesn’t deserve to see you hurt. By the time I have sand under my feet, I’ve pulled myself together. At least on the outside, no one can see my heart is breaking.

I come to a stop at the shoreline, the water laps at my feet. Looking out over the ocean, I watch it roll and dive, pulling wave after wave under. Burying the dying wave before the next is born. Smothering the bolstering tide as it makes its way to the shore.

Taking a deep breath, I pause long enough to grasp just how puzzled I am. What the hell just happened? Hardy pushed me away for this, for a friendship that I had no clue about. He didn’t even know me then, and I didn’t even know he existed.

Wishing the waves would crash in and swallow me up, I stand there in shock. How long had he known? Did he know before the weekend at Clemson? Oh my God. The things I texted him.

None of it matters now, not after everything I just said to him. Not excluding the way he spoke to me like I was nothing. Nothing to him. Every word we shared over our weekend together meant nothing.

I stood there looking like a complete idiot. I felt like a fool as he implied I threw myself at him. The look in his eyes told an entirely different story. The way his face contorted as he delivered each word.

His mouth pulled into a straight line, the ‘V’ formed between his eyes as his words hit me. Hating them as they fell from his lips for hurting me the way they did. Utterly disgusted as he ripped us apart.

I would never have been this angry had he just taken the time to tell me the truth. If he had given us a chance, we wouldn’t be here. Hardy made the decision to not take our relationship any further without my input.

Well, he has it now. I need to get back to my party. People are probably wondering why I’m down here. I should tell them so I can watch Hardy squirm. Maybe ignoring him will do the trick.

Turning to go back, the first person my eyes land on is One. He knows something’s up. Shifting from his face, I find Hardy glaring at me. Oh, what. You’re mad? Too bad, asshole. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on. I don’t need you to save me; I’ll keep my damn self.

Opening the gate, Christy meets me, and we walk side by side. She can tell I’m upset, but instead of acknowledging it, she switches gears. Like only a best friend can, she has my back until I can fill her in.

“Alright, we’ll work on this later. Go fix the corner of your left eye; eyeliner is smudged. Sneeze a few times and go straight to the hall bathroom. Then, we’ll kick someone’s ass.”

She’s deranged. She says the whole thing with a smile on her face, so sweet, sounding like a five-year-old. I fucking love her. Especially when she shelters me from prying eyes, like One and Hardy.

With Christy’s help, I’m up the steps and in the door in a matter of seconds. I straighten my face as best I can and ready myself for the rest of the evening. Exiting the house, my mother calls me over to speak with a few guests.

After pressing some flesh, I work my way around thanking everyone who came. Most are my parents’ friends or business associates. Chord sits alone at a table. I grab a plate and start in his direction when Christy cuts me off.

Bumping into my side, she walks with me to Chord’s table. “What’s up? Who are we killing?”

Chuckling my answer, I give her the basics. “One’s best friend is an asshole. He’s also the man I spent last night with and the one I keep chasing down. Yes, Hardy is all three of those things.”

Her eyes grow wide as I continue to talk right to where Chord sits. “We just shared our dislike for the situation, including his blatant refusal of me. He said I threw myself at him. After, I called him names. It was ugly. My heart’s broken, and we’re done.”

Painting a smile on for Chord, I sit next to him, and Christy falls into the other chair. Chord’s eyes shift between us, slowly registering the shock on Christy’s face and the look of death on mine.

“Ladies, who are we killing?” We burst into laughter in unison which draws the unwanted attention from my older brother and his best friend.

One stands, grabbing his beer, and heads our way. Continuing to giggle as he gets closer, I immediately shut down when I notice he’s bringing company. Son of a bitch. Nothing gets past Chord, though; he’s so much like One.

“What? Is it Hardy? What the fuck? Did you mess around with Hardy?” Chord looks sick. It’s probably from the blood running down his leg where my nails are cutting into his thigh.

“Shut up. Not a word,” is all I manage to get out before they’re standing in front of us. The scrutiny One gives us is more than apparent, but Chord plays it off.

“Hey, guys. What’s up, One? You’ve been weird all evening.” Redirection. I love that tactic. Hardy’s stare is tough to shake, but I do my very best to avoid it.

“Nothing. I’m good. Y’all too cool to hang out with the old people? Too bad we’re joining anyway. Grab a chair, dude.” One motion to the seat behind Hardy.