Page 49 of Meet You in the Waves
Kira left my little comment alone as she stepped carefully into my space, dropping to sit at the edge of my sun lounge. My erection had died a sudden death but I shifted my legs away, not wanting any parts of our bodies to touch.
“I’ve thought a lot about what happened the other day and I think we both have some apologies to make. I’ll go first,” Kira said, sucking in a dramatic breath as her fingers toyed with the frayed hem of her shorts. “I’m sorry how I reacted. I know I should have just listened to you instead of getting upset. But Ijust didn’t know what else to say to make you believe me. I kind of lost it a bit.”
“So we’re still running with the story that youdidn’thit on Nick?” I stated, keeping my tone neutral.
“That’s right,” Kira nodded.
“Hmm,” I mulled. “It’s just, I’m finding it a little hard to swallow that story. You know, since Nick is gay. I’m failing to see why he would make a pass at you.”
Kira blinked once, the only sign that I had caught her out in her lie. The one we both knew she was lying about.
“It hardly matters anyway,” she dismissed with a hair toss. “You know I don’t want Nick. I’ve only ever wanted you, Ajay.”
“It matters to me, Kira,” I told her. “But either way, it’s pretty clear that our relationship has run its course. We’re both really different people now, going different directions. I think it’s just convenience that’s kept it going this long.”
“You don’t mean that,” Kira huffed. “You and I love each other. We’re meant to be together.”
“No, Kira. We’re really done this time. I wasn’t playing games with you the other day. You didn’t need to drive all this way down to see me.”
“But we’ve broken up loads of times in the past. We’ve always gotten back together,” Kira replied, her voice turning whiny.
“Except every single other one of those breakups was instigated by you,” I pointed out. “This time it was my decision. And I promise you, I do not play games.”
“But Ajay,” Kira whined, her voice grating in my ear like a worm. “You love me.”
“Answer me this,” I said, knowing I was not going to get rid of her as easily as I wanted. “Those other times we broke up, did you ever get with any other guys?”
Kira’s mouth dropped open before she shook her head vigorously. “No, Ajay. Of course not.”
“Really? I just want us to be truthful with each other,” I said, trying to coax her into telling me what I suspected to be true.
“I mean,” Kira said, biting into her lower lip again as she looked away from me. “There might have been a couple of times but I swear it only happened when we were broken up. I promise I never cheated on you when we were together, Ajay.”
“When you say a couple of times, how many are we talking?”
“Like, maybe four times. Max six.”
“Right. See, that’s why I know this relationship is not worth pursuing,” I reasoned. “You obviously can’t be faithful to me and I really don’t think either of us can truthfully say we’ve ever been in love. There’s nothing left to salvage here. Please can you listen to me when I say we’re over?”
“No,” Kira returned petulantly. “I don’t agree. Relationships require consent from both people. And I don’t consent to this.”
“It doesn’t work that way,” I pointed out.
“It does. I don’t consent to breaking up with you, Ajay,” Kira reiterated. “So there.”
“I feel like this is going to become a circular argument. I mean what I say. We are done. Over. Please can you just leave me alone, Kira?” I sighed.
“Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll give you some space. But just know that I’m here to get you back. And I won’t be leaving until I get Exactly. What. I. Want.” She ran a long nailed finger down my chest, my insides shuddering at her touch before she stood and sauntered back inside.
I took a long sip of my drink, at a bit of a loss about what to do. I wanted to follow Nick into the boat shed but I also kind of wanted to see what Dee and Dane had to say for themselves too.
I regretted that impulse when I stepped inside to find the three of them huddled together in the kitchen for a little team chat, Kira looking mighty pleased with herself as Dee gave her an encouraging squeeze.
The level of delusion in this household was at an all-time high.
“Ajay,” Dee smiled up at me. “Good to see you.”
“You too, Dee, although I admit it’s a little bit of a surprise to see you all here,” I replied pointedly.
