Chapter 32 Holly #3
“It’s not about who is better,” I finally snap, letting all of the feelings that I buried down finally rise up and have a voice.
He hasn’t changed a bit. “It’s about the fact that when you left me here, you destroyed me.
You could have just left, but you had to make sure that there was nothing left of me for anybody else.
” My voice breaks as I speak, but I keep going, determined that he hears what he did to me.
Tears sting my eyes but I won’t let them fall.
“Was it necessary for you to say all those things to me? Did it make you feel more of a man to point out I was overweight? That I was never going to make anything of myself in this town? That no one would ever love me?” I keep eye contact with him the entire time I speak, so I can see his expression changing.
Hearing my words aloud has done something to him.
Is he finally realising how out of order his behaviour was?
Lowering his gaze, he glances off over my shoulder, unable to take my direct stare any longer. “I may have said some things–”
“Look, I don’t care anymore.” I hold my hand up in a stop motion as I cut him off, not letting him even finish his excuse. “That was then, this is now. Our relationship is over and nothing will change that.”
His eyes narrow and his face takes on a look that I know well as he prepares to try to manipulate me. “Some of those things I said were nasty, I admit that. However, you’re never going to find anyone better for you than me.”
I want to laugh at the irony of it. He thinks I can’t find anyone better, when in actuality, there are three guys who care for me and treat me better than Jake ever did. Elliot may not always be the kindest, but he has looked out for me and things seem to be changing between us.
Jake is about to start on a tirade, probably to tell me all of the reasons I should be with him, but I’ve had enough. I won’t take his bullshit any longer and there is one surefire way to do that. “I’m in a relationship, and I’ve never been happier.”
A beat of silence. Pure shock is etched onto his features.
He really did believe that I wouldn’t find anyone other than him.
I don’t move, staying quiet as I know this peaceful moment won’t last long.
His expression turns nasty. “Who?” The demand is sharp and full of venom. “Who the fuck would want to date you?”
I’ll admit that this hurts. I’m glad he’s not in my life anymore, and I don’t have any romantic feelings for him, but I’m still healing.
He’s wrong, his question are mean and aimed to wound.
He’s also shouting now, his voice echoing around the town square and drawing attention.
Covertly, I try to look at the shops around us and see if anyone is around to play interference.
Faces peer at me from inside the local businesses as they watch the commotion and a part of me wonders if anyone is going to step outside and help, but I need to handle this myself.
Low levels of fear twist in my gut, making my chest hurt, so I take a deep steady breath and return my gaze to my ex. “Jake–”
“Holly, is everything okay here?”
Elliot is here. Thank the soufflé gods.
“Is this him?” Jake demands, turning to take in his competition, who is walking across the square.
Elliot doesn’t hurry, but there’s an intensity in the way he walks towards us, an authority in each step he takes. Despite the chill in the air, he’s only wearing a white button-down shirt and dark jeans showing off his muscular body. Jake looks like a child in comparison.
Clearly Jake feels this too as I see him puffing up his chest, trying to seem taller, from the corner of my eye. I struggle to take my eyes off Elliot, and I wonder if it’s because of how we left things yesterday, or because of how bloody grateful I am that he is here right now.
“This is the guy you’re choosing to date over me?” Jake spits out the words, tripping over them as he takes in Elliot’s huge form.
Elliot reaches my side, and without a beat, he wraps his arms around my shoulder and pulls me against him.
The warmth of his body against me instantly fills me with confidence.
If I’m being completely honest, having him come to my side and instantly know what I need sends arousal coursing through my body.
Bad timing, really, to be turned on as your ex and the man you kissed the day before face off against each other.
“Yes, and you are?” Elliot answers for me, narrowing his eyes at my ex.
I know that he’s just pretending, standing up for me against Jake, but even so I can’t deny how good it feels having him here with me.
As though he cares for my well-being and wants to protect me.
Just pretend. He’s just saying this to help you, I tell myself.
Nothing good will come from letting myself believe this little lie.
“He answers for you now, does he?” Jake sneers at me, seemingly unable to hold Elliot’s stare. It’s easy to see that he’s intimidated, and he’s turning that back on me.
There might have been a time when I would allow Elliot, or either of the other guys, to speak up for me.
However, this whole interaction has showed me something.
I recovered from the breakup, and I put myself back together.
The guys have helped me to grow and realise my potential, but ultimately, I am stronger than I ever thought I was.
“No, I speak for myself,” I fire back at him.
“You’re not welcome here anymore, Jake. You burnt your bridges when you left.
” This is an understatement. I wasn’t the only one to get hurt when Jake left; he made sure to put us all in our place.
There is nothing here for him anymore. “You should leave.”
To punctuate my statement, I reach up and place my hand over the arm Elliot has wrapped around my shoulders, squeezing it affectionately. The gesture is claiming, and intimate. I know exactly how it looks, and I know it will piss Jake off. I don’t care anymore.
Elliot shifts slightly behind me, placing his other hand on my hip possessively, holding me closer against him.
“You heard the lady,” Elliot rumbles from behind me, his breath tickling my ear. “So, kindly fuck off.”