Page 80 of Full Split
“I love him, West. I’ve always loved him.”
His jaw clenches. I know he doesn’t want to hear it, but I’m done hiding.
“I love him so much. And this is different, because I’ve never loved anyone like this before. Everyone else was just a substitute for what I thought I’d never have. I won’t apologize for that. But this isn’t the same.”
That gets a flicker of something in his expression. Maybe guilt?
“I’m not with him because I’m using him, or because it’s easy, or because I need someone to chase.”
I meet his eyes, and for the first time in days, he doesn’t immediately look away.
“I’m with him because I love him.”
I let that sink in. I need it to.
“And yeah, maybe I followed my dick into this mess, but that’s not why I’m here now. Not even close.”
His brow furrows. I can’t tell if he’s listening or just waiting for me to shut up. But he hasn’t stopped me, punched me, or walked away. So, I keep going.
“Wyatt means everything to me, but so do you. I don’t know how to fix this. I don’t know how to make this right between us. But I need you to believe me when I say I’m serious about him. And I’m serious about you.”
I pause, breathing hard, trying to keep my voice steady.
“I don’t want to lose you, West. I can’t.”
Silence stretches between us. Thick and heavy. I look down at the floor, overwhelmed. Then, quietly, I add, “We could do couples therapy for friends or something, I don’t know.”
That pulls a tiny sound out of him. A half-breath that might’ve been a laugh if we weren’t both standing in the wreckage of everything we used to be.
“Whatever it takes,” I say. “I’m not giving up. Not on you. Not on Wyatt. Not on either of you.”
For a moment, neither of us moves.
And then Weston shakes his head and walks out. Just walks away, again, leaving me standing there feeling like I just ripped open my chest and he didn’t even look.
Weirdly, though, I don’t feel weak. Or hopeless.
I feel… lighter. Stronger.
I said what I needed to say. I didn’t hide or pretend or downgrade my value or my feelings.
I take a slow, deep breath. Wipe the damp from my cheeks and straighten my spine.
There’s nothing else I can say or do at this moment. It’s time to get to work. If I’m going to succeed, I need to put my best effort forward. Not just on gymnastics. On everything. On love and trust and commitment.
To Wyatt.
To Weston.
To myself.
And I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.
CHAPTER 22
WYATT
I’m tense before the event even starts, sitting stiff in my seat, nerves already frayed. I’m on edge for both of them. Weston’s not competing today, but he’ll be sitting with the rest of the national team to support Niles and the other all-around gymnasts.
