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“Yes. To step aside.”
“And you said
no?”
Derek asked incredulously.
“Because I love him.”
He shook his head. “That’s not why you stayed. You stayed because you’re a good person, and it broke your heart to see him like that. You couldn’t stand to be cruel to him and hurt him, not when he’s good and kind and
safe.
Not to mention you’d have to take a chance on me breaking your heart again.”
I wanted to hit him, I wanted to scream… but I couldn’t. He knew me. He knew me too well.
But he didn’t stop there.
“Plus, your mother cheated on your dad and there’s no way you were going to cheat with
me
again – ”
“Why do you always throw that back in my face?!” I snapped.
“Because when you did it, you did it for the right reason: you’re supposed to be with ME. You were supposed to be with me back then, and you’re supposed to be with me right now. And you would be, if I hadn’t fucked up. That’s all I’m asking for, Kaitlyn – forgive me, and let’s go back to the way things are supposed to be.”
I stood there helplessly, not knowing what to say.
“He doesn’t love you, Kaitlyn. Not like I do. I would
never
offer to let you go.”
“You offered to if I would
listen
to you.”
“I said I’d play nice and back off. I’d
never
let you go. I love you too much.”
“That’s the definition of a stalker, not somebody who loves you.”
“Okay, fine – I’ll let you go. I’ll let you go,
if
you can look into my eyes and tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t love me. Tell me – and make me believe it.”
I caught my breath. So much was riding on what I said next –
And did I even want to say it?
Without thinking, I plunged ahead.
“I don’t love you.”
He looked into my eyes and smiled. “You’re getting better at lying… but you’re still pretty bad.”
With that, he opened the door and walked past me into the studio.
Riley was standing right there on the other side. I don’t know how much she had heard – but I was shocked at the frightened look in her eyes, at the look of betrayal she gave me.
Derek passed by her without a word, and the door shut.
When I opened it, Riley was already halfway down the hallway.
“Riley,” I called out, but she never turned around.
She didn’t say anything or look at me for the rest of the day.
