Page 36 of More Trouble
“What? When?”
“This evening.” I glanced at the clock on the wall. “About an hour ago.”
Maddox’s jaw dropped. “Where?”
“Scarlett’s apartment.” I knew how it sounded. Our best friend had died, our friend was in the hospital. And I was making love to Willa on the couch in her best friend’s apartment.
“How did that happen?”
I made a face. “You really need me to explain it?”
Maddox punched my arm. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. The two of you were barely speaking yesterday and now, suddenly, you’re back on again.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure.”
“So, you’re not a couple?”
“I think she used me, Maddox.” Willa telling me she’d simply done it to get some comfort hit hard, although I wasn’t going to tell him.
His brow furrowed. “And I bet you’re going to let her because you’re crazy in love with her? Don’t be a dick, Dre. You need to tell her how you feel. If you want any chance of her staying after Scarlett’s out of hospital, you need to be honest with her.”
Much as I hated to admit it, Maddox was right. Everything I’d said to Willa about changing was the truth, but I hadn’t saidwhyI wanted to.
“You want her to love you back, right? Make a fool of yourself if you want it badly enough. Make the big gesture if you must. If you want her, don’t let her go. Look at Wes. A couple of nights ago, he was telling us how he was going to propose to the woman of his dreams. How they were going to be one, big, happy family. And now? Scarlett’s grieving and in pain. We’re all hurting. Don’t wait. You never know what’s around the corner.” Once Maddox finished his speech, he grabbed his bottle of beer and downed it.
I stared at him. Clearly being with my sister had turned him into a big softie. Every single word he said rang true. I couldn’t wait; shouldn’t wait. I wanted Willa in my future, and I had to get it right. Without thinking, I grabbed him in a huge hug.
“Thank you,” I said. “I needed to hear that. You know, I’m happy you and Lyla are together. You make a really great couple.”
Maddox hugged me back. Apart from manly back slaps, we rarely made physical contact. If I’d learned anything the past couple of days, it was to hold those who meant the most close to you. Everything changes in the blink of an eye.
“Ugh, what did I miss?” Lyla re-entered the room, her phone in hand. “Why are you two hugging?”
I slapped Maddox on the back, returning to our usual level of physicality. “He’s a good friend.”
Lyla kissed his cheek. “He’s the best.”
Despite the tiredness starting to set in, I knew what I had to do. Before I chickened out and changed my mind.
“I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” I winked at Lyla and trudged up the stairs to my room.
With the door shut behind me, I sat on the edge of the bed and composed my thoughts. I knew exactly what I had to say to Willa. Even though I wanted to tell her face to face, going back to Scarlett’s apartment at this time of night wouldn’t be the right thing to do. I had to hope she wouldn’t hang up on me.
When her phone rang and rang before going to voicemail, I almost gave up. Maddox’s words reverberated around my head. I’d wasted a lot of time. I shouldn’t wait.
“Hey, Willa, I know it hasn’t been long since I saw you, but I needed to speak to you. It couldn’t wait until the morning because, well I guess you never know what’s around the corner. When we were together, I adored you. I put you on a pedestal because you were so perfect. I loved you so much that I couldn’t believe I was worthy of you. When I did what I did, I guess I proved exactly that—I wasn’t worthy. After all, what complete prick would risk his entire relationship for something out of a teenage boy’s spank bank?” The words were coming thick and fast. Once I’d started, I couldn’t stop. “If anything, seeing you again has brought everything back; how much I love you and still do. How much of a fool I was for jeopardizing what we had. What I want us to have again. If you’ll give me a chance to prove how much I’ve changed, how I’ve grown, how I want to be a better person. So long as I’ve got you, Willa, I can be that man.” My voice cracked and I knew I’d have to stop; I’d end up crying otherwise. “We’ve got the next two weeks to work on us. If you’ll have me again.”
Breathing heavily, I ended the call and fell back onto the bed.
I closed my eyes, willing sleep to come, but I knew it would be a struggle.
I’d lost Wes.
I’d built a bridge with Lyla and Maddox.
I’d found Willa.
But nothing with Willa was certain and I could lose her, if I wasn’t careful.
I’d never wanted to be more careful in all my life.
