Page 98 of Reconciling With the Rival

“It’s the fucking worst, and I can’t bring it up, or I’ll be treated differently. I can’t fight back, or I’ll be called a bitch. If I speak out of turn, I’m reprimanded. If I talk too loud, I’m arguing. It’s literally impossible to do anything, and some days, I feel like I’m walking on eggshells in a place I know I belong. In a place I earned my spot at.”

“I’m sorry, Ella. I didn't mean to make work harder for you.”

“It’s not just you, Leo. It’s Brody and Brad and any of the other dude bros who think they run the fucking world because they have a penis.” Plus, Leo isn't them. If he was, his dick would never come within twenty feet of my pussy, but I’d never tell him that.

“I’ll try to do better going forward.”

“I appreciate that, but let’s not talk about this going forward.” It feels like we’re headed in the wrong direction of whatever this pact is, and it needs to stop now.

He nods at me before we both turn back to the movie. Neither of us says a word when we turn in for the night, heading opposite directions into our rooms.

I try not to think about everything that happened between us tonight as I lay down to sleep, but I fail miserably.

30

Were You Worried About Me?

“I needed a littlemore from this book than it gave,” Hads tells us as we sit in her living room. Book club this week is at her apartment, and Grant is on his way back from the store as we chat about this week's book.

He has really tried to step in during Amelia’s absence in book club; it’s sweet of him. I know we all enjoy having him around.

“I really liked the small town aspect, but same. It was missing something, I just don’t know what,” Paige agrees with her.

“Same. It’s a solid four stars, though.”

Hads nods her head. “Agreed.”

“Same!” Paige says.

“Okay, I know we have shit to discuss, but Ineedto show you guys my new bookshelf Grant bought for our spare room.”

I smile in excitement.

“Finally! We’ve been waiting patiently, Hads!” Paige says as she springs off the couch.

Hads told us she got a new shelf the other day while she and Grant were out shopping for something. She rearranged all her books but refused to send us a picture before we could see it in person.

It drove Paige and I nuts. I love seeing bookshelf photos with all her trinkets, but the refusal to show us until today was fucking rude. She got the thing on Thursday last week, and Grant built it for her that night.

It has been a week of build-up, and I’m sure it looks fantastic.

Part of their bedroom is a reading area for the two of them. Their original plan was for the spare bedroom to be their home library, but with the number of sleepovers we have, they decided to keep it as such.

“Okay, here it is,” she says as she flips the light on, and in the corner of the room is a shiny, white, tall shelf filled with books. Hads likes to read all sorts of genres other than romance, so she has an entire shelf filled with classics. Another shelf is only her favorite author and the crocheted things she makes.

“Wow!” Paige’s eyes burst at how beautiful it is. There’s nothing better to a book lover than a shelf filled with books and decorations. I love how you can see someone’s personality through the shelves they have.

For example, Paige’s shelves are filled with bright ass covers of all the contemporary romance she reads, mine are filled with darker, more smutty books and sports romances. Hads has memoirs, classics, contemporary, and some young adult novels sprinkled in.

“Ilovethese earmuffs you crocheted, Hads. They’re fucking adorable,” I say as I grab them off of her shelf. “You really picked up crocheting quickly, babe.”

“Surprisingly, yes.” She smiles. “I needed a new thing to keep my hands busy while Grant and I watched things at night.”

“I am obsessed with this, Hads. I could sit and stare at your shelf forever,” Paige says, her hand dragging across some of the spines. Hads isnota spine breaker. She likes keeping her books in perfect condition, but Paige and I are absolutely spine breakers. It’s easier to doodle, and I hate holding the book at a forty-five degree angle when I’m reading.

One of our phones ringing in the living room cuts our tour of Hads’ new bookshelf short.

“I think it’s mine, but feel free to keep staring. If you want to steal anything, go for it.” She smiles as she heads back to the living room.

---