Page 25 of Don't Leave
She takes another hesitant step toward me. “I introduced myself. That’s it.” The edges of her lips slide up nervously. “Sheseems really nice.” Her voice dips. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about what happened between us. I really am.”
The last thing I’m interested in is rehashing the past or listening to her lame apologies. The knowledge that my ex took it upon herself to speak with Cassidy makes it even more crucial I locate her.
The idea of them having a private conversation makes me cringe.
“Look, I’ve really got to go.” Now that I know that they spoke, I’d bet my ass that Jackie has something to do with Cassidy’s sudden disappearance.
Fuck.
As I try to stalk past, she blocks me. Even though I could easily push past her, I don’t. I have no desire to touch her at all. That small irony isn’t lost on me. When I was younger, I couldn’t keep my hands off her.
“Cole?”
Impatience radiates off me in heavy waves.
Can she feel it?
I’m over this conversation. I need to get away from her and the memories that are eating me alive. What sucks most is that this girl is tied to almost all my childhood memories, not just the ones we spent dating.
I grit my teeth, more aggravated than a few minutes ago. “Yeah?”
She bites down on her lower lip. When we were together, it used to drive me crazy. Now it does nothing for me. Uncertainty fills her dark gaze. I really hate that I still know all her looks and what they mean.
“I get that now isn’t a good time, but do you think we could sit down and talk at some point?” She gulps before adding, “Maybe it’s not possible to be what we once were to each other, but could we be friends?”
Is this girl joking?
Hell no, we can’t be friends.
Her betrayal cut to the bone and killed everything I once felt for her. I didn’t just lose a girlfriend, I lost my best friend.
My lips thin as I shake my head.
“Please?” she whispers. “I miss you. We’ve been friends since we were seven years old. I hate that you’re no longer part of my life. Can you just think about it?” There’s a pause. “Please?”
I gape at her as if she’s grown a horn on her head. “You forfeited my friendship the moment you decided to screw around behind my back.”
As soon as I let those words loose, tears spring to her eyes. “I’m so sorry. Can’t you understand that I made a mistake? I’d do anything to go back and fix it.”
I snort before taking a step and closing the distance that separates us. “I was faithful to you, and I trusted that you were doing the same because you loved me. Instead, you shit all over our relationship. So no, I can’t forgive you for that.”
Unable to stomach another word of this conversation, I push past her, stomping my way down the staircase. Memories are roaring through my head like a locomotive. Us kids playing in the tree house my dad built. Working on homework or playing video games in middle school. We’d hang at each other’s houses or go to the movies when we were in high school.
She never missed a hockey game. She was always in the stands cheering me on. I remember the day I realized I wanted her to be my girlfriend but was too chicken shit to push the words out. I was afraid she didn’t feel the same way about me and that it would change our friendship. When I finally worked up the courage to tell her, she beat me to the punch. It all rushes through my head as I shove my way into the living room.
I plow a hand through my hair before sliding my phone from my back pocket only to realize the damn thing is dead.
Fuck!
I have to find Cassidy and I have to find her now.
CHAPTER 9
LUKE
“What if they get back together?” she asks. “Cole and I haven’t been together for that long. And they have this long history together. They didn’t just go out, they were friends. Best friends.” She worries the napkin between her fingers.
I don’t think she realizes that she’s shredding the paper into tiny pieces.
