Page 110 of Never You

“No way!”

“Oh, yeah. I hated him as much as I loved him.”

I shake my head with a laugh. “Those arrogant athletes.”

“Right!” she bellows, sipping her drink, the cubes ticking against the glass at the motion while I mirror the action.

“Was it hard? Getting back together?”

“Extremely. But it was harder to stay away from him. I guess that’s how you know it’s real in the end.” A vacant look forms on her pretty face, and I watch her closely.

“What do you mean?”

“If you can’t stay away. If you keep being drawn in like a magnet every time you are around that person. If your heart keeps holding on, even though it’s already broken into a million pieces. To me? That’s love.” Her green eyes move back to mine, unspoken emotion swirling around her irises. “It’s shitty. But that’s love.”

My mind wanders off, thinking about my own heart. I’ve known it’s been broken since I woke up without my parents. I was sure it would never be mended again.

Seeing how Charlotte looks at Hunter, even though she admits her heart has been broken into pieces, makes me wonder if I can do that. If I can give away my broken heart to someone else. Hoping he will protect the pieces with his life.

I always thought I needed to hold what’s left of it close to me until the day I die.

But now, I’m not so sure.

Now, I’m wondering if even though my heart is broken, if it’s still capable of being loved.

33

After dinner, Hunter and I are out on the front porch, both with a hip pressed against the railing, and a beer in our hand. Deep pink and purple bands are painting the sky as they’re slowly being pushed away by the coming of the night.

“Nice place you got here, man. Completely different from our LA shack,” I say, glancing through the window.

“Thanks, man. It’s Charlotte’s family home. She has always lived here with her mom.”

“You never wanted a new place?”

Hunter rubs his neck. “We thought about it. To start over together. Charls thought it would be weird for me, but to be honest, I’ve always felt more at home here than in my own home. It holds a sense of comfort, I guess. I don’t know.”

“No, I get you.” There is a troubled look on his face, as if he has a hard time explaining it, but I understand what he means. I don’t know everything about Hunter’s childhood, but from what he told me, it wasn’t fun. Charlotte saved him in many ways, acting like his lifeline.

“It’s not just a house. It’s a home.”

“Yeah, basically.” Hunter shrugs, letting out a content sigh.

We stay quiet for a while, staring at the sky.

“I hope that's in the cards for me. One day,” I tell him, taking a pull from my beer.

“What is?”

“This.” I open my arms. “A home. A family.A wife.”

“Well, rumor has it that your engagement is going to be announced soon.” I look at my friend. His brown eyes hold a dare, and I can hear the words he’s not saying out loud.

I dare you to lie to me. I dare you to feed me your bullshit after living together for years. I dare you to tell me you’re making the same mistake I did.

A week ago, I would’ve. I would’ve told him Emily was a good girl, and we’d be a good match. But I don’t think I have it in me to lie one more day.

“Yeah, not sure if Rae is ready for that yet.” My mouth moves into a cocky grin, and his brows shoot up.

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