Page 29 of Scoring with my Bestie's Ex

Seconds tick by as he struggles. He continually starts and stops again.

“See?” I say, my shoulders slumping, more from relief than defeat this time. “You don’t want me back. You don’t love me, and I don’t love you. I don’t know why we held onto this relationship for so long when it was clearly not working for either of us.”

Steven shifts on the spot, looking like he wants to argue without being able to formulate a proper argument against what is clearly the truth between us.

A wave of lightness washes over me, despite the circumstances.

It occurs to me that one of the reasons why I was so uncertain and frightened last night was because of this.

Even though I ran away from Steven, I hadn’t yet officially ended things.

“It can’t work out between us. I’m tired of pretending to be someone I’m not. So this is it. We are over, Steven. I’ll send you money for my half of the rent until the lease is up.”

Steven searches my face. “You’re moving out? For real?”

I nod. “Your name is on the lease, so it’s only fair you keep the apartment. I wish things didn’t get to this point. I am sorry for running out on our wedding, rather than calling it off beforehand.”

“And all of this is over a stupid dress?” he snaps.

“No. It’s because, in your own words, I’m a runaway bride. I don’t even have the excuse that my fairy godmother told me to be back home by midnight.” I sigh heavily.

He rolls his eyes. “Oh, so now you’re Cinderella, are you? Does that make me the wicked witch?”

I don’t bother pointing out that Cinderella doesn’t have a wicked witch in it.

“You can tell your family and friends anything you need to. It’s over,” I say, for the last time. There’s nothing more to argue about.

Steven snarls into the air as he turns to the lake.

I wait calmly. It’s strange just how calm I actually am here.

“Fine,” he snaps. “Fine. If that’s what you want, I’ll have your things boxed up and put in storage. But I’m keeping the cars. Both of them.”

He wants a fight. I keep my expression blank.

“I don’t agree to that, but I will retain a lawyer to help resolve the issue.”

Steven glares at me. He shoves a finger into my face but then turns on his heel. “Goodbye!”

He stalks away.

I watch him as he returns to his cabin and slams the door behind

A rush of relief washes over me.

I don’t feel like staying out here any longer, so I go back into the big cabin. My heart hammers like crazy, as if having that conversation was equivalent to running a marathon.

In a way, it is.

I set my sketchbook on the coffee table and drop onto the couch. Despite how tired I was earlier, now I’m electrified.

It’s over.

It’s finally over.

I’ve done what I should have done years ago.

Now, I’m free.

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