Page 105 of Begin Again Again

Byron had hoped that she didn’t care what she’d heard in his car. That she’d laughed it off or assumed it didn’t mean anything. Something about the anger in her voice now stung. He pulled off the condom and reached for his briefs. “I told her I was seeing someone.”

“And what? Now she’s messaging you twice as much because she’s jealous?”

Yes, but Byron didn’t like that Beth knew it. He was the one who knew things. She didn’t know anything. Not about him and Audrey. Not about the past.

“It doesn’t matter,” he told her. “I’ll tell her to back off if you want. I don’t want drama.”

“IfIwant?”

“Yeah.”

“And what do you want?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

He wanted to finish fucking her. He wanted to cuddle, watch TV, go get a beer. He wanted this to not be happening. He stood and turned off the speakers. “I’ll tell Audrey not to message anymore. It’s not a thing.”

Beth put her hands on her hips. “You’re gonna make me do this, aren’t you?”

He sat back on his bed, wondering how pissed she’d be if he said she was adorable. “Do what?”

She stared at him, then her upper lip curled. “Actually, let’s not do this.”

She picked up her dress and he watched her zip herself up, waiting for her to say something else. She didn’t. She shoved her feet into her socks and then her sneakers, grabbed her tote and headed for the door. It was half open when he stood. “You’re not gonna leave?”

She turned, her expression hard. “You’re allowed to go quiet but no one else is allowed to have a turn?”

“You said you liked being quiet with me.”

“I also said I didn’t think you were withholding. But you’re withholding now.”

“About what?”

Bad move. Beth rocked onto one hip, glaring at him.

“Okay, that was dumb. I know you mean my ex.”

“Audrey.”

“Audrey,” he agreed. “It’s nothing, Beth. It’s just nothing.”

“So those messages I’ve heard twice now…” She shook out her hair. “You know what? I’m not doing this. I’m not going to try and convince you that this is bullshit.”

“Okay…?”

Her nostrils flared. “I don’t want to be melodramatic, but this is nuts, Byron. I like you and I know you’re into me, but I can’t act like I don’t give a shit anymore.”

“You don’t have to!”

“Fine, then I can’t believe I had to listen to your ex tell you she missed you while you were fucking me!”

He pressed a hand to his mouth, trying to hide his smile.

“Stop it!” Beth said, trying and failing not to grin. They smiled at each other for a second, then Beth sighed, her shoulders slumping so her tote bag fell to her elbow. “Seriously, Byron. What’s with the ex?”

He shrugged. “We broke up. Now she’s in London.”

“You can still be in love with someone who lives in London.”

“I’m not in love with her.” As soon as he said it, Byron wondered why he hadn’t said it sooner. He moved forward, putting his arms around Beth. “We still talk a bit, but I’m not in love with her and I don’t want to get back together.”

---