Page 13 of Letters From a Broken Heart
“And hopefully you never need to find out. Now, eat something. I didn’t go through the trauma with the delivery girl for you to not eat any of this food.” He hands me a plate as I roll my eyes.
“Yes, because being flirted with is so traumatic. They should erecta statue for your heroism.”
A lopsided grin tugs up the corner of his lips, making my mind shift back to the summer I was madly in love with Easton and he was blissfully unaware.
Chapter 7
Taylor
“He’s always looked at you like you hung the moon and the stars.” Mom steps up next to me and wraps her arm around my shoulders.
“I thought we’d get married,” I whisper as I stare down at the photos Mrs. Maxwell has laid out on the table.
“I wasn’t talking about Jack, sweetheart. That boy was obsessed with you, but he never looked at you the way Easton does.” Mom nods over my shoulder and I follow her gaze until mine collides with Easton’s.
He’s talking to someone I don’t know, but his eyes never leave mine. The person looks annoyed, but Easton doesn’t care one bit.
“Easton is just a friend, Mom.” I roll my eyes, but I can't deny the surge of butterflies in my stomach.
What if Easton was more? What if he loved me as more than a friend? Does it even matter anymore? I made my choice and dated Jack. I can't imagine Easton would stillwant to date me.
Mom continues talking, but I don’t really hear her. My mind is too focused on what she said about Easton.
I always assumed Jack and I would be together forever. And it’s not like I could date Easton if Jack and I broke up… but we didn’t break up. He left me all alone and now I don’t know what the rules are anymore.
My attention returns to the photo albums on the table as Mom flips the page. Sitting front and center is a picture of Easton, Jack, and I sitting at the beach. Jack’s not paying attention to me, but Easton’s eyes are locked on me, my head is back as I laugh at something. I'm completely oblivious to the world around me.
My eyes flicker to the other photos on the page. Every single picture is of the three of us. Every image has Easton watching me and Jack’s in his own little world. I'm normally smiling or laughing at the camera.
My brows furrow as I nibble on my bottom lip. Why is Jack never paying attention to me? He’s always looking away, smiling at something off in the distance.
I excuse myself and go to find a private area. I need a second to myself. A moment to think about this.
There’s a small alcove off to the side of the main room. I slip into it and scroll through my phone. I find the pictures I’ve taken over the years.
The ones that are of just Jack and I, he’s looking at the camera, but he’s rarely looking at me. He looks happy, but I wouldn’t say he looks like a man in love.
I continue scrolling until I find a picture of Easton and I. His eyes are full of so much love as he stares down at me.
Every photo I find shows the same thing. Easton’s attention is on me and nothing else. Longing, love, and care show in his gaze, where Jack looks like he could be taking a picture with anyone.
“We’re going to begin shortly, if everyone could take their seat.” The woman who works at the funeral home smiles sadly at all of us.
I quickly enter the main room and find Easton already sitting with his arm resting across the back of an empty seat. As soon as he spots me, he waves me over and pats the chair.
As I lower myself onto the chair and lean back, he doesn’t remove his arm. He leans in close so he can whisper in my ear.
“I thought you left me and I was going to have to do this alone.”
“Were you scared?” I peek up at him with a grin.
“Terrified. I debated on making myself vomit just so I wouldn’t have to do it. I don’t want to go up there, Tay.”
“You’re talking to me and no one else, remember?” I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze as the pastor steps in front of the room and begins with a prayer.
I try to remove my hand and rest it in my own lap, but Easton stops me. He lays his palm on top of my hand and holds it in place.
The pastor ends the prayer and begins the service, but I can't pay attention to what’s going on around me. I'm too focused on the feel of Easton’s hand on mine. His arm wrapped around my shoulders. His strong thigh beneath my palm. He’s consuming every thought I have and that makes me feel even more guilty. This is supposed to be a day about Jack, not my inappropriate thoughts and feelings towards his brother.
