Page 92 of How We Loved

“And I’ve seen you date other girls.” She eyes me knowingly.

I try to blow her off. “That was different.”

“Really? Do tell.”

“Those girls were … they were nothing. It was just …” I don’t know how to explain what’s going through my mind.

She stands and faces me. “They weren’t Maya.”

I shake my head. “No.”

“And don’t you think Maya should have the same opportunity to see who’s out there that isn’t you?”

I scrunch up my face, not wanting to hear what she’s saying even though it makes sense.

Then, I remember. “I never pushed her away though. Not the way she did to me.”

“Well, guys are different from girls. I know this Trevor guy wasn’t a good guy, but I don’t blame him for not liking your guys’ relationship. It’s obvious there’s something more. We all see it. You two are the only ones who didn’t.”

I think about all the times Dalton has given me shit over her and chuckle at the memories.

“So, why did she come here today, and what got you so worked up?”

“I don’t know what to do now. She pushed me away, I went to rescue her, and now, she wants to go back to normal like nothing ever happened.”

“And you can’t do that?”

“No … I can’t.”

“Why not?”

I exhale. “That’s what I can’t figure out.”

We sit in silence as she waits for me to work out my thoughts and speak again.

“I’m mad at her.”

“And I think that’s justified.”

“I’m scared of how she makes me feel.”

She nods slowly, but doesn’t respond.

“I can’t lose her again, especially with how easily she just pushed me away. If she doesn’t feel this way about me, then it’s better to just stop this now.”

“You need to tell her how you feel.”

I cross my arms over my chest and bow my head.

That’s the problem. The feelings I have for her are too much.

I’m supposed to protect her.

But who’s going to protect her from me?

CHAPTER THIRTY

Maya

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