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“Take my mind off of all of this,” Peyton cuts through my thoughts. “Have you talked to Marc?”
“Cut right to the chase, why don’t you.”
“You haven’t said a word since he left for Austin.” Peyton sighs sympathetically. “That was four days ago. It’s eating me up inside not knowing how you’re handling everything.”
“Honestly? I’m handling it just fine. I asked for this. I asked for the space. My plan was to get my head on straight while he was gone and hopefully I can turn my life around from now until then. Unrealistic.” I roll my eyes. “I know this. But your girl can hope.”
“It’s not unrealistic. You were scared and that’s okay.”
“I still am. He had to go and break the biggest rule.”
“Rule?” Kali tips her head to the side in question.
“When I agreed to do this for him, I had three simple rules—no kissing, no seeing other people and don’t fall in love with me.”
“Hey, at least you both committed to the second rule.” Emiline laughs.
“We got something right.” I joke. “It’s that last one. I told him not to. And he fucking did and it’s thrown a plot twist in this whole story.”
“But you love him too, Ave.”
She’s right. I fell head over heels.
The worst part of it all, is that Marc left for Austin without knowing how I feel.
The realization hits me like a dump truck. I can physically feel the color drain from my face and my heart rate spike.Oh my god. I’m so goddamn selfish to not think about how he’s been handling all of this.
“Em,” I gasp.
“Oh gosh, what?” Her eyes widen at the tone of my voice. Her features are laced with concern. “Are you okay? I’m not a nurse yet!”
I shake my head. “Nothing like that. Have you talked to Marc in the last couple days?”
“Yeah, why?”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Is he…”fuck. “Is he okay?”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t ask me.” Emiline sighs.
“Shit,” Peyton murmurs to herself.
“From the sounds of it, he has his moments.”
“What does that mean?”
“One minute he’s hopeful that things will be okay when he returns, and the next he’s torn apart at needing space from you. When I video called him last night, the bags under his eyes told me that he hasn’t slept since he’s gotten there.”
My heart cracks behind my ribs, and I can feel tears form behind my eyes.
“Hey, ladies.” Thomas saunters into the kitchen. “How’s the decor coming along?”
The girls remain silent, their eyes locked on me as if waiting for what my response is to Emiline’s admission.
I hear him whisper in Peyton’s ear, “Did I walk in at a bad time?”
Peyton nods her head.
“Thomas.” My voice is hoarse with emotion. “I need your help.”
