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Alex was as perceptive as they come. She already knew I was freaking the fuck out without even witnessing it.
“Hardly,” she chuckled, sitting the same way I was on the armchair. “By the way, the boys don’t exactly know that Cole and I are,” she hesitated for a few seconds, debating on what to say, “dating.”
I grinned. “Now, why is that, Half-Pint?”
She cocked her head to the side, arching an eyebrow. “Is that the third or fourth outfit you’ve changed into?” She eyed me up and down.
I stopped smiling.
“I’m just kidding. I’m sure Dylan will appreciate whatever you’re wearing, Aubrey.”
“Alex, Dylan and I haven’t spoken in almost two years. That’s the only reason I’m nervous to see him. Don’t read too much into it,” I sternly advised.
“I don’t want to fight, okay? I love both of you, but I’ll never understand why you’re not together. You haven’t been with anyone since him. Aubrey, you barely leave our apartment, so you’re obviously not moving on for a reason. Why don’t you ask yourself what that is?”
I shook my head. “Half-Pint, don’t talk about things you don’t know about.”
“Then tell me so I do,” she challenged, placing her hand on her hip.
I was about to say something when there was a knock on the door. My heart dropped. Alex took in my pale face but didn’t say anything. She got off the couch to open the door. Every step she took I felt my resolve crumble a little more.
I can’t do this.
I got off the couch to rush to my bedroom, but I wasn’t quick enough. She opened the door, and I stopped dead in my tracks in the entrance.
“Half-Pint!” Jacob greeted, making her squeal when he picked her up off the ground.
My heart was beating out of my chest, echoing in the room. The room began to close in on me. I tightly shut my eyes, trying to catch my bearings. My skin felt cold and clammy, I thought I was going to pass out. I heard Austin’s voice next, waiting for Dylan’s.
As if reading my mind, Alex asked, “Where’s Dylan?”
“Oh,” Jacob muttered. “Umm… he had some shit to take care of or something. He will be here later.”
I instinctively turned, locking eyes with Jacob. Austin lightly backhanded him in the stomach.
“Why you lying? Half-Pint, you know how Dylan is, he has pussy in every zip code. He’s with some chick who picked us up from the airport, he’ll be back once he’s done with her.”
Jacob’s face frowned and his shoulders hunched over. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, shaking his head.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and faintly smiled. “Some things never change, huh?”
Austin glanced over at me like he just realized I was standing there and remorse spread throughout his entire expression.
“Shit, Aubrey, I didn’t—”
“How was your flight?” I interrupted Austin, wanting nothing more than to change the subject.
They recovered quickly, but for the few moments they all looked at me with pity. I hated myself a little more.
“It was great,” Jacob chimed in, pulling me into a hug.
I despised being touched, but I let him because what else could I do? Austin was next. They both lingered with their arms around me for far too long. Which only made me want to shower again.
“So,” I breathed out, trying to steady my nerves from their hands being on me. “What do you guys have planned?”
“I thought I would show them around,” Alex chimed in. “Want to come?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I gotta study. Finals and stuff are coming up. You guys have fun though. We’ll catch up later.”
