Page 178 of Collide
She smirks, but it’s soft, understanding. “Exactly. I’ve never seen you like this.”
I frown. “Like what?”
“Alive,” she says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.
“Elena, you’ve been sleepwalking through life for two years. You were practically dead with grief. And now look at you—pacing, feeling, fighting. Yeah, it’s messy as hell, but that’s relationships, babe. You’re here. You’re living again.” Her words land hard, right in the center of my chest.
“But what if I’m setting myself up to get hurt?” I whisper.
Riley shoots me a look. “It happens, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s part of the deal. But if Alex makes you happy? Chase that feeling. Ride that high. And honestly?” She grins, bumping me again. “You deserve to ridethat man, too.”
A startled giggle bursts out of me, the tension cracking enough. I cover my face. “Oh my God, Riley.”
“What?” she laughs with me. “It’s true! You’ve been all locked up like a nun, and now you’ve got a six-foot-something Swedish snack who’s clearly crazy about you. Why not let yourself have that?”
“Broderick,” I say, shaking my head.
I see the realization wash over her face. “I get it. You weren’t planning on Broderick. He came out of nowhere. But now it’s a choice. Are you going to go with what’s in your hand, or rush headfirst into thewhat if?”
She’s right. I need to decide.
Because hanging in the balance between them, it’s not fair. Not to them, not to me. And as much as I crave that validation—fromtwopeople, something I never thought I’d experience—I can’t become my father.
I can’t string people along because it feels good to be wanted. Chosen.
“You don’t have to have all the answers right now,” Riley says, her voice gentle, tugging me back. “But maybe it’s time to stop running from what you want and run toward it instead. Headfirst. Even if it’s messy, at least it’s sexy. And no matter what, I’ll be here, whatever you choose.”
I stay quiet. Let the words settle. Because she’s right.
Maybe I don’t know where this ends. Maybe it explodes. But Alex makes mefeel. And isn’t that worth something?
I let out a breath. “I think…I think I want to see where this goes with Alex.”
Alex is the right choice. I’ve already let him in. It makes sense.
Riley grins. “Good. About time you admitted it.”
I glance at her, squinting. “You always this smug when you’re right?”
She laughs. “Always.”
I smile, and for the first time all night, I feel a little lighter. “Thanks.”
Riley loops an arm around my shoulder. “What are best friends for if not to encourage questionable life choices?”
I laugh again, tension peeling away. Together, we turn to face the house, lit up with guests and the hum of the party.
After our little heart-to-heart, I slip upstairs. My legs move on instinct, but my chest stays tangled.
The second I open the door to my room, I freeze.
Alex is lying on the bed, one arm thrown behind his head. His eyes find mine the second I step in.
“I couldn’t find you,” he says, voice low, unreadable.
I close the door quietly behind me. “I needed space.”
His jaw ticks. “From me?”
