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I can’t wait to see Holden, and I’m sure he feels the same way. But we’re going to remain friends. Just friends.
It’s gonna hurt like fucking hell. For us both. But it’s what needs to be done.
“Len!Oh my God! I missed you!” Everleigh jumps into my arms and almost knocks me over as soon as I walk into the apartment.
“Whoa.” I laugh. “Damn, girl. I missed you too, but you don’t need to trample me.”
“Sorry, sorry. I just couldn’t wait to hug you! And look at you, you look amazing.” She pulls me inside along with all of my bags.
“You’re not looking too shabby yourself. All tan and gorgeous.” I beam at her.
“Tell me everything. I want to know what you did all summer.” Everleigh drags me over to the couch. Maia appears from the hallway, and we scream and hug.
“Len! Finally! It feels like forever since I’ve seen you!”
“I know, I missed you guys so much. And our place. But it was nice being home.”
“I bet,” Maia says, and Everleigh nods.
We fill each other in on our summer, Everleigh having spent most of it at home with her family like me. Maia said she mostly worked and hung out at the beach, hitting up the occasional party.
“Did the boys hang around all summer too?”
“Yeah, for the most part. I haven’t really seen much of anyone, though. Too busy raking in the dough,” Maia answers.
“If you’re asking about Holden, he’s around,” Everleigh says, getting right to the point.
“No, I was just making conversation.” But I can’t stop the flush creeping up my neck.
“Are you blushing?” Ev’s mouth drops, and she looks at me closer. “Is Lennox really blushing when talking about a guy right now?”
I toss a couch pillow at her, and it bounces off her head.
“Oh, shush. It’s just warm in here.”
“Mm-hmm. Honestly, though, Len, how are you really doing?”
I tell them about therapy and about pressing charges, the new friendships I’ve made, and how Aaron’s family and the business fell apart.
“Good, he deserved it.”
“For real, what a piece of shit. And coming around here, vibing with our friends. What a douche.” Maia sips her bottle of water.
“Thanks, guys. But enough about this shit, let’s stuff our faces with pizza and binge some stand-up comedy.”
“Yes! I’ll order the food,” Everleigh says and disappears into the kitchen.
Maia follows her. “I’ll grab us some drinks.”
“Okay. I’m going to change and find us something to watch.” I bring my bags to my bedroom and quickly change into some comfy pj shorts and a large T-shirt. I throw my hair up in a messy bun and head back to the living room with a blanket and pillow.
We laugh and tell jokes around mouthfuls of pizza. Chloe and Madison surprise us by showing up with tins of cookies. I’m so excited to see Madison, I almost run her over like Everleigh did to me.
The girls are all back together, and damn, does it feel good.
My cheeks ache from smiling so much.
When the night ends, Madison and Chloe leave, and Everleigh and Maia retreat to their rooms. I clean up a little so it won’t be so messy in the morning.
