AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think about him every second I’m awake.” I swallowed the lump that had now made itself at home in my throat. “I think that no matter what I do, no matter where I go, I will always be his. My heart will always belong to him.”
“That will leave you very lonely in life.”
“I guess that’s what I get for falling in love with someone I didn’t deserve.”
“That’s where I’m going to have to stop you.” Shelly sat up to lean towards me, trying to look threatening by narrowing her eyes. “If you want to wallow in your heartbreak, I will sit here with you. If you want to cry your eyes out for days on end, I will sit here with you. But if you are going to talk about how Chase is too good for you, I will not sit here for that shit. You are a good person, Merritt Adams. You have been through worse than anyone else I have ever known; you protect the people you love like a mother bear with her cubs; you are beautiful; you are smart; you are a warrior princess, and anyone who knows you is lucky to have you. I know Chase is great, but don’t act like he is God’s gift to the world. He is a mere mortal just like the rest of us.”
I rested my head on her shoulder, smiling and fighting off the urge to cry – again. “I don’t deserve you, either, Toad. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for.”
She covered my hand with hers. “Forget the boys, Frog – you’re the love of my life!”
I giggled. “Ditto.”
“So, tell me,” she said. “Have you made out with T.J. yet?”
I pulled away from her, my face contorting between variations of shock and appalment. “Have I what?”
Shelly rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t act like you haven’t thought about it.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose between my fingers, and took a deep breath. “Shell, I literally don’t have the energy for one of these conversations with you.”
She put her hands up in surrender. “I’m just saying: you’re single now, and if I was single, I would make a beeline right for that boy’s lips.”
I shook my head, but laughed. “How are things with you and Brody?”
“The same. He’s still perfect, and I’m still an asshole for worrying about marrying him.”
“You are not an asshole.”
“And you’re not undeserving of Chase.”
“Fine. You’re an asshole, then.”
She giggled and smacked me with one of the decorative couch pillows. “It takes one to know one!”
“We’ll forever be assholes together.” I nudged her with my elbow. “Let’s go out tonight. I’m tired of sitting in this apartment and sulking.”
“Oh, no,” she said, waving her index finger in my face. “You are not allowed anywhere where alcohol is being served. I won’t get scolded by Tanner again.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Oh! What if we invite Tanner? I’ll tell Charlotte to come, too. That way, they’ll end up in the same place together!” I jumped up, and ran to the bedroom to get my phone. When I reappeared in the living room, Shelly was already texting Kenzie and Tina.
“Tina suggested Big Nose Kate’s.” She looked up from her phone to see my reaction. “Are you going to be okay with that?”
“I can’t not go places just because I’ve been there with Chase.”
She agreed. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay surrounded by alcohol?”
“I will be better than okay. I know I can do this.” I grimaced. “Plus, I don’t want to get on T.J.’s shit list ever again.”
“I bet he’s sexy when he’s angry,” Shelly mused.
I rolled my eyes. “Is Brody coming?”
“No. Let’s have a girls’ night. I haven’t had one of those in ages.”
“Okay. I’m going to tell Tanner that it’s a girl’s night, but I’m tipping him off anyway. Charlotte won’t know any different.”
“Forcing the hand of fate. I’m all for it.” She stood. “I’m going to go home and change. I’ll be back at nine to pick you up.”
