Page 26 of Before You
Luka is in the living room gaming with headphones on, and I find Asher in the kitchen working on his homework. “Hey,” I say, and he groans, shoving the notebook away from him.
“Thank god you’re back. I’m so tired of studying, but I need your help with stats. Don’t these professors know it’s only the third week of school? Why are they assigning so much,” he complains, but Asher falters when he looks up at me. “What’s wrong?”
“I was with Marley, and I need to tell her, Ash. I can’t hide this from her.”
“She’s not here with you, right?” he asks, his words careful as Asher glances behind me.
My stomach turns to lead. “No, why?”
Asher drags a hand over his face, swearing under his breath. “Next year, we’re getting a house with just us, okay? This drama is stressing me out, and I can’t afford to have a breakout on my face right now. I’m trying to woo Bria, and she’s stubborn as hell.”
“He’s up there with a girl, isn’t he?” I connect the dots, laughing in disbelief. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“This girl was with Trent when he came back, and they went straight up to his room,” Asher says, only confirming I’m right to tell Marley the truth.
“This is fucking cruel. I should have told her that first day, and I’m not saying this because I . . .” I trail off, clearing my throat. “Marley deserves better than a boyfriend who can’t keep his dick in his pants.”
“Shit, you actually are in love with her,” he says, staring at me.
“Yeah, I am, but this isn’t about my feelings. This is about doing the right thing, and by saying nothing, we’re enabling Trent,” I say, just as a loud thump sounds from upstairs, perfectly on cue, proving my point for me.
“No, you’re right. Keeping it from her is wrong,” Asher agrees. “What do you need from me?”
I exhale in relief. “I just need you to confirm I’m telling the truth when I tell Marley, so it doesn’t seem like I’m only telling her because I want her to be with me.”
“Is that why you’re doing it, or are you really doing it for her sake?” he asks, raising a dark eyebrow questioningly.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t so she’d be with me, but that’s not thereasonI’m telling her. “I’m doing it for Marley. She deserves to know.”
Asher stands up, shaking his head. “You know this will start shit on the team, right? We have to live with Trent the rest of theschool year,” he says, stating the obvious as if I hadn’t already considered it.
“He started this by cheating on Marley. I don’t think he’s going to care, because if he did, Trent would be with her right now, instead of some other chick.” It’s bullshit I haven’t told her already, and I can only hope Marley will be able to forgive me for it.
“When are you going to tell her?”
“Now,” I say, and Asher laughs.
“Goddamn, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you have a death wish. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Ash. I appreciate it,” I say, pulling my phone out to ask Marley if we can talk.
“Good luck!” my best friend calls after me, understanding I’m going to need all the luck I can get before this conversation.
Maybe Marley won’t hate me. Actually, that’s wishful thinking, but a guy can dream.
Jogging down the stairs quickly, my heart stops in my chest when I see Marley climbing out of her car parked on the side of the road. “Hey, I just sent you a text. I was about to drive back to your place,” I say, forcing the words out.
Her long hair looks like she towel dried it, and her nose is tinged red with the beginnings of a sunburn. Marley smiles at me, and I wish she wouldn’t. “I’m sorry, you just left in such a rush, I wanted to make sure everything was okay.”
My insides twist with guilt, and I continue walking toward her. “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. Everything’s fine, but Luka’s inside gaming, so we should just go back to your place.”
“Well, I kind of wanted to talk to Trent quick?” Marley reaches to play with her necklace as she looks at the house.Oh fuck.
“Actually, I’m pretty hungry. Do you want to get something to eat first? There’s a smoothie place nearby,” I ramble, trying to remain nonchalant as I step closer to my car.
“It won’t take long, at least, I think it won’t.”
I hate this. I might have thought before it would be easier if Marley caught Trent in the act, but I don’t want that for her. The last thing I want is for her to be hurt, and while I don’t know the depth of their relationship, I think walking in on Trent with another girl would be worse than me telling her.
