Friends That Heal Us (The Friends Duet #2)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

EZRA

I love summer rain showers. The coolness on a hot summer day is a breath of fresh air.

The clean, earthy scent of the rain hitting the dry ground brings nostalgia to all senses in my body.

It reminds me of my childhood. Every time there was a rain shower during the summer months you could catch Zayn, Violet, Rya, and me dancing in the rain, splashing through puddles, and feeling the water soak our clothes until our parents yelled at us to come in and shower because of the mess we made of ourselves.

The sun is hiding behind the clouds today.

The scent of a summer rain shower is lingering in the air.

Usually, I would get a sense of calmness when one hits, but today all I feel is, well, I don’t even know what I feel.

My world came crashing down a week ago alongside Violet’s.

Crashing down is a bit too harsh for how I’m feeling.

If I’m being completely honest, I actually feel a breath of fresh air—I can finally inhale a deep breath and let it all out, instead of the ragged breaths I’ve been living with.

But that doesn’t help the worry I feel for Vi.

Her doorbell echoes throughout the house as I press it twice.

I’ve been here every day since that night and it was a week ago.

She won’t answer any of my calls or text messages.

At this point, I’m wondering if she’s even staying here.

If Zayn were here, I’m sure he would answer.

Or maybe not. Who knows with that bastard?

I still haven’t heard from him after everything went down.

I am shocked, to say the least, but should I be shocked?

He was willing to fuck my wife behind my back, and he’s been my best friend since childhood.

Fuck, it’s hard to even say that in my head. I never thought something like this would happen from him. Sure, he could be shitty at times, but I never thought of all the things he could’ve done, it was going to be this.

I haven’t dared go over to Violet’s parents’ house because I don’t know if she’s told them anything.

I’m not going to be the one who makes them question what’s going on.

Especially if she’s not ready to talk about it.

And I’d be fine if she’s not ready to talk to me about it. All I want to know is how she is doing.

I woke up with a pounding headache, an empty bed, and a million questions about that night.

I turn around and let out a sigh, and stare out at the neighbors across the street.

Have they seen me here every day this week?

Have they told Vi that some guy is coming over every day around six in the evening and knocking on her door?

Is this why she’s never here when I come, because she knows the time I come?

I head for my truck, jump in and rest my head against the seat, and stare at her garage door. I wish I knew the combination to the garage. For how close we are, I should know it, but for some reason I don’t. She could have been inside this whole time and not answering me.

I back my truck up slowly and head down the street, wondering where I should go.

I hate going home to the townhouse I live in.

Not because it’s empty. That part is a relief.

But because it reminds me of all the things I turned a blind eye to.

It makes me feel so stupid, but also kind of happy in a way that I wasn’t the one that broke someone’s heart.

I guess thinking that way is stupid too.

But I’m the kind of guy who puts everyone above me.

I go above and beyond for people even if I don’t get the same in return.

I’m fine with that. It’s what fills my heart.

I pull up at the only place that feels right. The place I first laid eyes on her and knew I would make her mine one day.

“Zayn,” I say while shielding my eyes from the sun, staring out at the girl walking our way.

“What?” he says as he turns to me and then back to what I’m looking at.

“Who’s that?” I ask.

Her high cheekbones rise with a smile once she sees us noticing her. She’s pretty. Prettier than anyone I’ve ever seen. There are pretty girls in my class, but none like her.

Zayn shrugs his shoulders and continues looking for more skeeter bugs.

“Hi,” she says with her arms crossed behind her back. Her head tilts to the side like she’s shy.

“Hi.” I stumble over the word.

Zayn looks up and stands up straight. “Hi. What’s your name?”

Ugh, I mutter to myself. I wanted to ask her that. But my shyness gets the best of me sometimes. Zayn is more outgoing than I am. So, a lot more girls talk to him before they talk to me. Sometimes I hate it.

“Violet,” she says, shifting her shoulders. “What’s yours?” she asks, staring at Zayn.

“Zayn, and this is Ezra.” He points to me.

“Hi,” I say again. My lips curl under my teeth. I already said hi, I think to myself.

Violet looks down at the water and then back up to us. “What are you guys doing?”

“Catching—”

“Catching skeeter bugs,” Zayn says, cutting me off.

She sways from side to side, staring behind my best friend to where I stand. Her grin turns into a smile. Her eyes sparkle like the river sparkles when the sun shines down on it. I put my hands in my pockets and fidget with them. My cheeks heat as we both gaze at each other.

“Look.” He raises a fist up towards Violet, making us break eye contact.

Stupid Zayn.

She stares down at his hand, and he opens his fist.

“Awe,” she squeals. “It’s cute.”

Cute?

I watch her gaze follow the bug jumping out of his hands back into the water. I can’t help but stare at her. The sun reflects off of her, making her shine so bright.

“How’s that cute?” Zayn asks.

She shrugs her shoulders. “Because it’s so little.”

“Do you want to catch one?” I hurry and blurt out before Zayn has time to say something else to her.

She looks over at me and back down at her feet. She has on pink jelly shoes that have sparkles. I know because my little sister wears them. Is that why she’s so sparkly?

I take a couple of steps and stand next to Zayn. I reach my hand out for hers; her soft hand intertwines with mine, and I help her into the water. My cheeks warm even more at her gazing at me as I lead her into the water. She’s so pretty.