Chapter 53
Alex stood on his own in the Boathouse Café and felt as if he was in shock. He couldn’t believe it. Had Hannah been cheating on him all this time with Sean? Did he mean nothing to her? Perhaps not. Perhaps she had never felt the same way as he did.
But her kisses had been real, hadn’t they? He was so confused and hurt. And if she didn’t love him after all, then that was it. He would have to leave. He loved both her and Maple Tree Lodge but they were so entwined and it was her home that he had to be the one to go.
Not that anywhere would feel like home again. No woman would ever make him feel the way she did.
He was so deep in both thought and misery that he didn’t hear Ben and Jake come into the café until they were almost upon him.
Anxious to leave, he went to side-step his friends. He didn’t even want to talk to them at that moment. But Ben stood in his way and didn’t budge.
‘What’s the matter?’ he asked sharply. ‘You look upset.’
‘Is it your folks?’ asked Jake. ‘I thought you were getting on alright with them.’
Alex shook his head. ‘Sean has returned.’
His words came out at a croak, hoarse with emotion.
Ben and Jake looked shocked.
‘What? Why?’ asked Jake.
‘I have no idea,’ said Alex, feeling as if he had been run over. He was all out of emotion – rage or jealousy were so far removed from the numbness he was currently feeling. ‘I think they’ve been texting each other.’
‘I’ll kill him,’ said Jake, scowling.
Alex shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s who she wants.’
‘OK, I’m confused,’ said Ben, running a hand through his hair. ‘Talk me through it and quickly.’
‘One minute I was telling her that I love her,’ mumbled Alex. ‘The next, he came in. She didn’t seem shocked to see him.’
‘You love her?’ asked Ben.
Alex nodded.
‘Oh, mate, that’s amazing,’ said Jake, before he frowned. ‘Wait a minute, if you do love her, then what are you doing in here on your own? Why aren’t you with Hannah?’
‘She went outside with Sean,’ Alex told them, shrugging his shoulders. ‘I don’t know. Maybe I just imagined the whole thing. The whole damn relationship. I’ve got to go and think.’
He turned around and walked out of the boathouse. Away from his friends, away from Hannah and the place where they had been so happy. His feet moved and he had no idea where he was going. He just hoped his heart didn’t hurt as much when he got there.