Page 14 of Heart Strings

“Connor, you don’t need to explain yourself,” she interjects, pulling away to peer up at me. “You’re feeling hurt right now, so I get it.”

“But that’s just it,” I say, stepping away from her and running a hand through my hair. “I don’t feel hurt because Ava cheated; we were close to ending things, anyway. I’m hurt because of fucking Ty! We started the band together in fucking high school. It was always the two of us before any of the rockstar shit. So why would he betray me like this?”

I blanch at my own honesty. Was this what I was upset with all this time? Because Ty broke our friendship, not because Ava hurt me?

Gracie reaches out and touches my arm. “That makes more sense than you think, Con. You and Ty are like me and Soph; it’s always just been the two of us growing up until you and I met each other. If you weren’t hurt because of what Ty did, I would say you didn’t have much of a friendship,” she says.

“Yeah… I guess you’re right,” I say with a sigh. “He’s been trying to call me non-stop since I left—”

“Maybe you should answer it next time,” she advises with that Gracie smile.

I shake my head. “I’m not ready to talk to him yet and I’m way too angry to accept any apology from him.”

“Fair enough. But no more whiskey, okay?”

“Okay,” I say with a small smile on my face, then I pull her into my arms again and, for some reason, I feel lighter. “I’m sorry, Tink. I should have told you sooner.”

I feel her shaking her head against my chest. “You needed time, I understand,” she says, then she pulls away from me. “Now, let’s finish our coffees before they get cold.”

I smile at this and take my seat next to her, listening to her talking about Sophie. Things are so easy with Gracie, and I can’t help but wonder again if I ever will find this with anyone else.

Chapter 10

Gracie

Sophie rifles through my closet, tossing dresses onto the bed with a discerning eye. She finds something and squeals.

“This one,” she declares, holding up a little black dress that’s been hiding in the back of my wardrobe. “It’s perfect for tonight.”

I eye the dress skeptically. “Isn’t it a bit much for a wine tasting?”

Sophie rolls her eyes, one hand on her hip. “Gracie, when will you learn? There’s no such thing as ‘too much’ for a night out. Besides, you look stunning in this.”

“I haven’t worn this in ages, I doubt I’ll fit into it,” I say as I take the flimsy thing from her.

She scoffs. “Please, have you seen yourself? Gorgeous. Now stop your shit and go put this on.”

I relent, slipping into the dress. It fits like a second skin, making me feel more confident already. Sophie nods in approval, then sits on the edge of my bed, her expression turning serious.

“So, you gonna spill? What’s up with Connor?”

I take a deep breath, not sure where to start. “He finally opened up about Ava... and Ty,” I begin, hesitating as I see Sophie’s expression darken at the mention of Ty’s name.

Sophie’s never liked Ty, and I’ve always suspected there’s more to that story than she’s let on. “He found them together,” I continue, watching her closely. “Connor was more hurt by Ty’s betrayal, though. Apparently, he and Ava were almost over, anyway.”

Sophie’s lips press into a thin line, her dislike for Ty evident as she sits down on my bed. “This is Ty we’re talking about; world class Asshole McDouchbag who can’t keep it in his pants. Can’t say I was surprised.”

I sit down next to her, frowning. “Connor’s really hurting, Soph. It wasn’t just Ava; this was his friend, someone he grew up with. It’s like if I had to sleep with one of your boyfriends, not that it will ever happen.”

She sighs, her features softening. “Poor Con. It sucks that he had to find out what type of person Ty really is. You remember that time at the festival—“

I nod, remembering. “Yeah, I do. But I never knew why you were so upset with him afterward.”

Sophie waves it off, a clear sign she’s not ready to dive into that history. “It’s not important. What matters is how you’re going to help Connor through this.”

“Well, I told him my door is always open and…” I trail off and feel the blood rush to my face as I remember Connor’s drunken confession the other night, so I turn away from her. “Uh—“

“Oh no, you don’t!” she says as she pulls me back and I cover my face with my hands. “Oh my god, something happened between you two, didn’t it?”

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