Chapter 13 A Confrontation Long Overdue
A Confrontation Long Overdue
Alek
Sitting here with David and Jerica is the absolute last place I want to be. Still, after the elevator disaster, I know I have to face the two people who once called themselves my best friends before I can even think about fixing things with Hayvin.
This would be easier behind closed doors, since these two are infamous for their explosive tempers, but there’s no way I’m risking Vin hearing I slipped off somewhere private with Jerica.
That’s a lesson I’m learning the very hard way.
“Give me a second,” I mutter, grabbing my phone and tossing my suit jacket in the booth.
I keep my head down, weaving toward the exit.
Privacy is a myth in public, but I don’t care.
I want to see if Vin will finally pick up now that I’ve switched numbers.
No one else has it, not even Jerica. I almost kept it from David, too, but cutting him out is harder.
We’ve survived too much together, though our friendship is hanging by a thread, and this conversation might be the one that snaps it.
I pull up Vin’s number, hoping that since it’s a new number, I’ll finally get to hear her voice. After hitting the call icon, the ringtone squeals in my ear twice before it goes to voicemail, letting me know that she declined the call.
Should have known she’d be too smart to answer an unknown number when we’re not on talking terms. She’s not going to risk that it’s me on the other end.
Fucking sucks, but there’s no one to blame here but myself.
So, instead of talking to her, I leave her a voicemail.
“Hey,” I start, clearing the awkwardness from my throat.
“Um, can we talk? I know you really don’t want to.
” I blow out a breath. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Hayvin.
I know I keep saying that, but it’s the truth.
I fucked up, and it makes me an even bigger shit that I’m just now realizing how badly.
I’m fixing it, okay? I’m trying, baby girl.
Just…please, don’t give up on me. Do what you have to do, just…
don’t do that. Please,” I finish in a whisper.
The beep sounds in my ear, then the automated voice comes on and goes over my options. After hitting Save, I end the call and shove my phone into my pocket.
I stare at the ground, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to figure out how I’m supposed to fix this if she won’t even talk to me. Hayvin’s stubbornness never bothered me before, but now it feels like a wall I can’t climb.
A car horn jolts me out of my thoughts. Across the lot, a teenage boy waves over a girl with wild curls. My chest tightens as I watch her light up, sprinting to him. He sweeps her up, spinning her in a hug, and I press my hand to my chest, trying to soothe the ache blooming there.
Their joy, the way the world melts away as they look at each other, stirs something in me I almost don’t recognize.
Envy and longing.
I remember moments like that with Hayvin, when her warmth wrapped around me and I let myself believe it would always be there.
I took it for granted, used it up, all because I was too much of a coward to let her close.
I thought I could keep us both safe by keeping her at arm’s length, while still holding on to everything I wanted from her.
I really am a damn fool.
Tearing my eyes away, I shove open the door, steeling myself to finish this confrontation once and for all.
Lost in my own head, I barely notice the person in front of me until we collide. I reach out instinctively, trying to steady them as we stumble together.
The figure is familiar, and when her angry words spill out, I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.
“Stupid, idiotic, dick bandit. Watch where the hell you’re going next time.”
“Everleigh,” I say in greeting, making sure she’s steady on her feet before I let her go and step away.
She peers up at me, her eyes flashing dangerously. “Oh. It’s you.” Then they roll over to the people in the booth we crashed next to. “And I see you brought STD one and STD two along with you.”
“What is your problem with me?” Jerica snaps. “Every time I see you, you’re running your mouth for no damn reason.”
Everleigh smirks, folding her arms over her chest and raising her brow. “No reason?” She glances over at me. “No reason, asshat? Really?”
I open my mouth to reply, but she shakes her head and turns back to Jerica.
“You know, Hayvin will never come at you. You’re not worth it to her.
None of you is. She considers this shit beneath her.
The truth is, she’s just better than all of us put together.
But me…oh, baby. I’m that best friend. And let me tell you, sweetcheeks.
For her, I’ll come at you every second of every day for the rest of your life, if I have to.
You, Jerica, are nothing but a disrespectful bitch.
You sit there acting like your pussy doesn’t stink, pretending to be stupid and not know what the hell you did wrong.
But honey, let me clue you in. Your pussy is the raunchiest fucking thing I’ve ever smelled in my life.
So, how about you just sit there and keep your mouth shut?
And if you can’t do that, then I’ll be more than happy to make sure you do. Your choice, crotch rot.”
David looks ready to defend his sister, but Ever’s glare cuts him off.
“Don’t even try it, bitch boy. You’re just as guilty.
The two of you are so fucking toxic, I feel like I need to scrub my skin raw after being near you.
Seriously, get some therapy and sort out whatever twisted mess made you like this. ”
“Ever,” I call gently, wanting to pull her out of her rage.
Her breaths come sharp and fast as she tears her gaze away from them and fixes it on me. I instinctively step back, her sneer making the air between us crackle.
“I don’t have time for you either.” Her fury vanishes in a blink, replaced by a heavy disappointment. “I really believed you’d be the one to keep her safe, Alek. I had high hopes. But you let me down, and now I hate you just a little more for it.”
“Please, Ever. Just tell me how she’s doing,” I beg.
“Alek, if you can’t use your brain and figure out why you’re still not worthy of her or any information about her,” her eyes flick to Jerica and back to me, “then I guess she was right and she was never really that important to you.”
Everleigh scoots around me, but I reach out and grasp her arm gently. “I’m fixing it, Everleigh. I promise. Okay?”
I keep my voice low so that our conversation stays between us.
“Are you really, though? Because this is the second time since she left you that you’re still around her.
I don’t think you deserve her, Alek. I don’t think you ever really did, despite what I wanted to believe.
” She lifts one of her hands and pats my cheek.
“It’s a good thing, though, because my brother will be happy to make sure he does.
” She yanks her arm out of my hold. “And Alek? Don’t ever put your fucking hands on me without my permission again. Capeesh?”
Before I can track where she storms off to, the waitress appears, ready to take our orders.
Eating feels wrong, like it’ll turn this mess into something normal, but I know I won’t have the energy to cook later.
We know this menu by heart. Once we order, I sink back into the booth, rubbing my palms over my slacks, searching for the right words to break the silence.
“You know…I really don’t like her,” Jerica remarks.
Well, if that’s not an opening, I don’t know what is.
“It’s safe to say she doesn’t like you either, Jerica,” I snap.
I rake my hands through my hair, irritation prickling beneath my skin. “She’s right. You’re both tangled up in this mess, too. I’ll shoulder most of the blame, but neither of you is innocent.”
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Jerica asks.
“This fucking mess I’m in with Hayvin.”
“I don’t even know what happened between you two,” Jerica says.
The chuckle that escapes me is tinged with bitterness. “Ever was also right about you pretending. You want to know what happened, J? You did. For some fucking reason, she’s got it in her beautiful, stubborn head that she’s second place to you.” I snort. “As if that could ever be true.”
Jerica winces and mutters, “Ouch.”
I shrug. “I’d say sorry, but it’s the truth. Vin was never second best. She’s the only one who’s ever made me feel this way. There’s nothing between us, Jerica, because I don’t want there to be.”
David stares at me with that empty fucking look of his that normally spells trouble. “Then maybe you should tell her this instead of the people who matter the least in all of this.”
“It’s hard to matter least when she believes you all matter the most,” I respond.
“And whose fault is that?” David comments.
“Oh, it’s mine.”
“Then why are you and everyone else trying to blame us for anything?” Jerica asks.
“Answer me this, Jerica. Did you believe me and Hayvin were still together when I came to help you move?”
She’s smart. The expression in her eyes and the way she fidgets in her seat tell me she knows exactly where I’m heading. “Yes,” she says warily.
I nod. “That’s what I figured. So tell me, what made you think it was okay to kiss me when I clearly didn’t want it?”
Her voice is defensive when she replies. “You were my friend, and I needed your help.”
“And you thought forcing yourself on me was the way to get it? You’re smart, J. You know exactly what that was.”
Jerica’s face goes blank as the color leaks from it. “What?”
“That’s fucking enough. What the hell are you doing, man?” David growls.
I glare at him. “I’m doing what has to be done.
You’re my best friend, but you know what she did was wrong.
Both of you are so twisted up from your past that you act without thinking and hurt people who never deserved it.
” I raise a hand to stop him. “Just listen. I love you, man. But you know that. You’ve said it yourself a thousand times. ”