Page 32 of Rhys: and the girl who was always his

I look at Justin or Camden or whoever the hell he is. “I’m confused.”

He kicks at a leaf, avoiding looking at me. “Sorry, I planned to tell you, but it never felt like the right time.”

Everything clicks. “You gave me a fake name the first time we met?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

He finally looks at me. “Yeah, I did. I was in a bad place and looking for an escape. You were a good distraction. Sorry I lied to you,” he explains sincerely.

“No need to apologise; it just threw me for a second. I get it, but why are you here?” I don’t care that he lied to me. He was a distraction for me as well. I can’t be angry at him for using me the same way I used him.

“I just wanted to check on you after the other night, make sure you were okay.” He stares behind me, and that’s when I feel Rhys’s presence. I don’t need to turn around to confirm; I know it’s him.

“I’m good. You don’t need to worry about me.” Rhys steps closer. I can feel his heat on my back, and subconsciously, I step back into him. He doesn’t touch me, but it’s enough for Camden to know what is going on. Understanding shows on his face.

Camden steps closer to me and places a soft kiss on my cheek before he speaks, “Goodbye, Ally,” in my ear. He turns and walks away.

I stare at his retreating back, trying to sort through my thoughts. Closing this part of my life is a good thing, right?

Rhys doesn’t say anything; just takes my hand and pulls me back through the house and out to the backyard with our friends.

After the sun goes down and Isabelle takes the girls home, Yasmin suggests we play a poolside game of Never Have I Ever. It’s unruly and full of laughter. Rhys keeps glancing at me, watching me with that same intensity that makes it hard to breathe.

“Never have I ever kissed someone in this backyard,” Ashley says, raising her brows.

Everyone groans.

Ella drinks. Arden does too. So does Chase.

I glance down at my untouched drink, then across the circle at Rhys.

His eyes are already on me. He lifts his cup and takes a slow sip.

My breath catches.

He’s not subtle.

Neither am I when I follow.

Yasmin raises an eyebrow but says nothing. The group keeps laughing, but I canfeelthe shift like people are starting toreallysee it.

Later, the air cools slightly. I sit alone on the edge of the pool, dipping my feet in.

Rhys joins me without a word.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod. “Just thinking.”

“That sounds like it hurts.” He jokes.

“Ha ha, don’t be a jerk.” I retort, losing myself to my thoughts again. I love we can still be us.

We sit in silence for a minute. Then, he nudges my foot with his.

“I liked today,” he says softly.

“Me too.”

He turns to me. “Even the part where Arden nearly drowned Chase?”

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