Page 126 of Reconciling With the Rival

“They might just be giving you space, Ells,” Hads says.

“You basically poured your heart out to them on Thanksgiving, and assuming you’ve never said any of that before, they probably didn't know,” Grant reminds me.

“Yeah, there’s no way they would have. I kept all my feelings buried in front of them.” Like I always do.

“So, they’re both probably seeing things from a new perspective, and they might need time like you do.” Hads brings up a good point.

“What about Leo and this situation at work?” Oliver asks me, and my heart bottoms out of my chest.

“I have no clue what to do about him. We had a time limit with the pact, and I doubt he would want to continue it just because I’m having confusing feelings.”

“Are they really that confusing?” Paige asks me, her gaze moving to Grant and back.

“Yeah, I mean, we all saw this coming. I thought he would fall first, not you.” Grant winks at me.

“Don’t listen to those two,” Oliver tells me. “Listen to your feelings, Ella. Only you know what you want.”

“I don’t know what I want, but I know I feel safe with him. I ran to him after the huge Thanksgiving blow up.”

“What?” Paige screams. “You didn't tell us that!”

“I didn't know where else to go, and if I was alone, I might have spiraled so far that I’d never come out. My car basically drove itself to his place.”

“Oh, you’re gone for that man, Ells. Might as well give in now,” Grant says.

Hads smacks his arm. “Take some time to really think about it. It could just be the sex clouding your brain.”

“Yeah, it might. Plus, I don’t know if I can trust him after everything that happened at work. I might have weird feelings for him, but can I trust him? My gut says no.”

“Talk to him about it. Maybe let him explain,” Oliver says as he parks the car in my lot.

I guess I never did give him a chance to tell me what happened, but would that change anything? I don’t know if it could, but it's something I have to figure out. “You guys are right.”

“Of course we are. And as for this work situation, if you think you’re outgrowing it, it might be time to move on, and that’s okay too.” Hads smiles. “Just think about it. We love you, Ells. Don’t ever doubt that again, okay?”

I nod at them. “I won’t.”

“Good, because you can’t get rid of us that easily. You’re stuck with us for life—until we’re all old and sitting on our porches talking about books,” Paige says, her eyes getting glassy at the picture she just painted.

My phone buzzes as she says that, and when I see my dad’s contact pop up, a smile comes to my face.

Dad: I know you’re probably still upset with us, and you have every right to be.

Dad: But Lizzie hasn't come out of her room in two days, and I’m not sure what to do.

“I’ll see you guys soon,” I say as I hug them all the best I can before I hop out of the car. As I watch them drive away, the girls waving at me from the back seat, a few more tears fall from my eyes.

If my memory was to be erased tomorrow, I know for a fact I could never forget them. Those girls and the bond we have is infinite, and we fit together like a key going into a lock.

I take a deep breath as I answer my dad, already getting in my car.

Ella: I’m on my way.

An hour later, Isoftly open the door to the place I used to call home, and my dad perks up from the couch as I come in. Thank goodness I’m working from home for the rest of the week. It’s late, and by the time I get back, it’s going to be even later.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hey, bug.”

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