Page 18 of Rhys: and the girl who was always his

She gives me a look. One of those knowing, sister-soulmate kind of looks. “You’re going to tell him, right?”

I hesitate. “I want to. I just don’t know how to start.”

“Start with the truth,” she says. “That’s always enough.”

I nod slowly, the words sinking in. And maybe that’s all I really need to do. Start. Try. Show up for him like he’s always shown up for me.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

Ella rests her head on my shoulder. “Anytime.”

And that’s how we stay.

And in that moment, I know I’m not alone.

And I know I’m ready.

CHAPTEREIGHT

RHYS

Grumpy’s is packed tonight. The music pulses in the air, practically vibrating with energy, while the scent of alcohol and fried food hangs thick in the warm, bustling space. Laughter, voices, and the clinking of glasses create a tumultuous symphony around me, but I don’t see any of it. I only see Ally.

She’s tucked into the corner booth with Yasmin and Ella, her fingers tracing the rim of her beer as she listens to their conversation. Her lips curve slightly at something Ella says, but it’s not her usual full-bodied laugh that lights up the room.

It feels strained, as if she's pretending to be okay, to convince herself everything’s alright. I feel like she is still trying to avoid me.

I’m fucking sick of it.

Five days. Five days of her slipping away, dodging my calls, ignoring my texts, and avoiding my fucking presence. Five days since she let me kiss her, then ran away like it meant nothing.

I shoulder past a group of guys loitering near the bar, barely registering their grumbled complaints. My pulse hammers in my ears as I reach their booth, planting my hands on the table as I level her with a look. “We need to talk.”

Her fingers tighten around her glass, her posture going rigid. “I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

Ella glances between us, her brows lifting slightly. “Pretty sure this conversation is happening whether you want it to or not.”

Ally sighs, but she doesn’t argue. Avoiding eye contact, she slips from the booth. I don’t give her a chance to change her mind before I grab her hand and lead her towards the side exit. She doesn’t fight me, but I can feel the tension radiating off her in waves.

The alley behind Grumpy’s is dimly lit, the distant sound of traffic humming in the background. I turn to face her, releasing her wrist. “Why have you been avoiding me?”

She scoffs, crossing her arms. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe because every time we’re alone, you corner me like this?”

I drag a hand through my hair, frustration curling within my body. “You kissed me back, Ally. You can’t pretend that didn’t mean something.”

Her jaw tightens. “I know it did.”

“Then why the hell are you running from me?” It’s fucking with my head. I want to give her space and time, but I need her to talk to me. She’s one of my best friends.

She exhales sharply, shaking her head. “Because this is risky, Rhys. We can’t just... jump into something and pretend like it won’t change everything.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “It’s already changed everything.” All I think about is her. She is consuming me from the inside out.

Swallowing hard, she glances at my lips, then quickly looks away. “We’ve spent years dancing around this, and now it’s real. And if we screw it up, it’s not just us who’ll feel it. Our friends, our entire dynamic—it could all fall apart.”

I let her words settle between us, the weight of them pressing against my chest.

I get it.

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