Page 52 of Mr. Wrong
We all do.
That’s what I’ve been telling myself.
Keep it together.
Be her friend.
Stay away.
And maybe by the time Landon comes home, I’ll figure out a way to convince Ellenore to change her mind and stay with us permanently.
When I opened the back door to find her sitting on the steps, I almost shut the door between us. Went out the front so I could sneak away like a coward because I knew she was waiting for me.
I just didn’t know why.
I need the day off.
Derek is here.
As soon as she said it, I understoodwhyI’ve been able to keep my distance all this time. What made it possible for me to stay away from her.
I thought I had time.
Time to get my shit together.
Start working toward being the kind of man Ellenore could see herself with.
Maybe tic a few of those boxes on thatperfect boyfriend listthat women like her keep.
I thought I had time.
And then just like that, my time was up.
Ellenore isn’t going to change her mind.
She isn’t going to stay.
She’s going to meet with Derek the Douchewad and he’s going to do and say everything he can to get her back because he might be a douchewad but he isn’t stupid. By this time tomorrow, I’ll have lost Ellenore for good.
I don’t even get my bike started before I’m off of it. Charging across the driveway. Back through the gate and up the walkway to the pool house. The entire time telling myself to stop. That this isn’t how I’m supposed to do it. That I’m going to ruin everything. That Ellenore deserves better than me. More than I have to offer her.
But I’m not listening.
Because I don’t give a shit.
Not anymore because it’s already ruined. I’ve already lost her and if I’m going to lose her to the same fucker who basically dumped her in my lap in the first place then I’m gonna lose big.
So big we both feel it.
I let myself in. The living room is dark and so is the kitchen, the only light in the place coming from the bedroom door that’s cracked open.
That’s where she is.
I can hear her talking, the conversation one-sided like she’s on the phone.
… I have things I need to say.
… No, they need to be said in person.
