Page 32 of Before You
“Eddie,” he replies. “So what brings you in? Young men like you don’t usually come in unless it’s Valentine’s Day,” he sayswhile I take a long drink of water, and it makes a world of difference.
“A family tradition,” I answer, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like maybe there’s a chance things will work out.
CHAPTER TEN
Marley
“THIS TIME IT was only one flower, and it was left at the door,” Bria says, walking through the front door.
I continue measuring out the cookie dough I’ve mixed in the kitchen as the oven beeps to tell me it’s preheated. Music isn’t working as an outlet right now, because Trent doesn’t feel worth putting into words on paper, which leaves me with baking. Unfortunately, I inherited my mother’s genes in the kitchen in every capacity, so there’s a very good chance these cookies will turn out like shit, even if they look fine now. “I hope you’re throwing it away.”
“This one’s pretty,” she says, twirling it in her hands as she flops onto the couch. “Do you mind if I keep it?”
“Sure, if you want. Just because I don’t want anything of Trent’s, doesn’t mean you can’t reap the benefits of his apology tour.”
“Understandably so, but does that include his roommate?” Bria asks, and I scoop more dough onto the cookie sheet next to me.
“He lied to me.”
She sighs, and I glance up now, spying the flower in her hand. The lavender petals are beautiful, and I’m surprised Trent bothered to pick out something so beautifulanddeliver ithimself. Everything else has been extravagant bouquets of red roses, and the delivery guy has finally stopped looking surprised when I tell him I don’t want them.
“What?” I ask, trying not to get defensive.
“Marley, I’m not trying to defend JJ, but what was he supposed to do? Tell you immediately after seeing you for the first time in two and a half years your boyfriend’s cheating on you?”
“Yes,” I say immediately. Rationally, I know he was put in a shitty position, but JJ still should have told me. I would have believed him.
“Well, then I think you should give him another chance. I saw how JJ looked at you when he first saw you, and he is the last person who would ever try to hurt you.”
“He lied.”
“Technically, he just didn’t tell you. Unless you asked him if Trent was cheating, then JJ didn’t lie,” she counters, and sometimes it’s really annoying having a best friend studying pre-law.
“Bria, I don’t want to talk about him.”
“I just think you should know JJ wants to talk to you,” Bria says, and my hand slips, knocking the tray of cookies onto the tile floor with a clang.
“Shit,” I swear, dragging my hands over my face.
“Five second rule?”
“No, they’re ruined,” I say, dropping down to start picking up the pieces.
Honestly, I’m pissed off about Trent, but that’s not why I’m upset. I know I was going to the house to break up with Trent regardless of whether I caught him with another girl, but it’s JJ who has my heart twisted into a knot I’m not sure where to begin untangling.
“They’re not ruined—the cookies can be fixed, and if not, start over,” Bria says, as I stand up, and I’m aware she’s not talking about cookies anymore.
“Bria.”
“Marley,”Bria returns my scolding tone, and I throw the globs of dough in the trash can, washing my hands to get rid of the sticky feeling.
“There’s nothing to say. You can argue he didn’t lie all you want, but JJ didn’t tell me the truth either. It’s not fair for you to ask me to get over it already,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m not asking you to get over it. What you choose to do with knowing JJ wants to talk to you is all on you, babe,” Bria says simply, but it’s not that simple.
I’m hurt, and I don’t know if I can trust him.
“How do you even know JJ wants to talk to me?”
