Page 45 of The Fallacy of True Love
“That’s…” Luna’s voice drifted off. “I can’t think of the right words to describe it.”
Fucked up. That’s what it was.
“You left for La Union after you talked?” came from Tala.
“Yeah. I got in the car, drove, and ended up at the bus station. Next thing I realized, I was halfway to Juana with no change of clothes and no place to stay. It was like my brain blanked out and my body operated on autopilot.”
“I understand what that feels like,” Jason murmured as he swept his hand up and down Tala’s thigh.
“Like driving more than forty hours across the country in the dead of night?” Luna asked him.
I snorted. “Epic.”
Jason had done exactly that after he confessed his feelings for Tala, but she shot him down. When Tala tried to reach him, he was on his way to Santa Mila, where his basketball team was based.
“Anyway. Sorry for interrupting,” Jason told me.
“Nah, that’s basically how I ended up in Juana. I’m sorry for worrying you guys.”
“I’m just glad you’re home safe,” Tala said. “Did she explain what happened?”
“She was on vacation with their family friends. The son works at their company too, and apparently, they were at a club and one thing led to another. I almost wish it had been a random stranger.” It would have been less painful than knowing she’d chosen someone she was already close to.
“Damn,” Luna breathed out. “You know him?”
“Yeah. I always thought he had a thing for Dani. She swore what they did was a mistake, but I bet her parents would love it if they got together. He’s like a son to them.”
“So where does that leave you guys?” Tala asked.
My breath whooshed out of me. “I don’t know. She wanted to work things out, but I couldn’t stay there and listen to her anymore. So I left.”
Silence.
“Sometimes, it’s better to step away from the situation when you’re unable to think straight.” Gabe’s words drew everyone’s attention to him. He didn’t talk a lot, preferring to listen, which made the things he said more impactful.
“I agree,” Luna said as she took his hand. “I think the question is, what do you want to do?”
“Get a time machine and convince Dani not to go on that trip.” I made it sound like a joke, but I meant it. If only that was an option.
The scary thing was that even if I could turn back time and we went to Juana as planned, I couldn’t know for sure that she wouldn’t still end up cheating down the line. She and Aaron were together so often, they’d have plenty of opportunities. Maybe it wouldn’t even be Aaron.
My foot bounced. “What would you guys do if you were in my place?”
They looked at each other.
Luna bit her lip. “I’ve talked to Gabe about my insecurities with him being older and, you know, super hot?—”
Gabe raised his brow at her.
She giggled softly and went on. “So he knows I worry that he might wake up one day and realize he prefers someone else. I told him to tell me straight out instead of trying to hide it from me. And that cheating was a dealbreaker.”
He shook his head and smiled. Like he found the mere idea of it impossible to comprehend.
I couldn’t imagine him doing it either. Then again, I’d thought the same about Dani.
“What about you?” I asked Tala.
“Same,” she answered instantly. “With Jason’s and my history, trust is really important to us. But our situations are different. You need to decide based on what you feel is right for you.”
