Page 59 of Molly

“Molly,” I whisper into the dark room.

"Go back to the couch, Ryan,” she groans.

I creep into the room, ignoring her, and closing the door behind me.

“Baby... they were old messages. I haven't spoken to Jess since that night at the pub.”

“Oh, right. The night you refuse to give me details about,” she snaps.

I hear her shuffling around on the bed, and then the lamp on her bedside table turns on, lighting up the room. She sits up, back resting against the cushions, and crosses her arms.

“Do you want me to tell you what happened?” I ask, taking another step towards her.

She waves her hand at me, telling me to go ahead. I take another step and sit at the edge of the bed. I stare at the wall and begin. “When Jess got to the pub, she sat next to me, asked me to buy her a drink. I've always done it. Like I said, in Melbourne, we spent a lot of time together, and I treated her like a little sister, took care of her.” I sigh and take a deep breath. “I called her babe in front of Beck. I didn't even realise I did it. He lost it at me, called me an asshole basically, and took off. Jess said some shit. I got angry and left. It made me realise that my friendship with her was hurting you. I haven't spoken to her since. She's come to the shop and tried, but Beck handles her. The shit she said... said I was playing daddy to Emma, said that I'd get bored with you. She was so angry. I realised then that something obviously changed for her.”

She stays silent, and I turn my head towards her. Her expression is blank, and it scares the shit out of me. I can't lose her over this...

“You know, I find it funny that me telling you about Jess did nothing, but Beckett bringing it up magically opened your eyes,” she says sarcastically.

“Molly, you haven't mentioned Jess to me in so long....”

“Because I was scared, Ryan! I thought if I told you how I felt, you'd fucking choose her!” she yells, her eyes darting to the closed door.

God, I’ve fucked this all up.

“I'm sorry that I made you feel that way, baby,” I say quietly.

She shakes her head and stares down at the covers.

“You need to tell me when I’m fucking up, Mol. I told you that...” I whisper.

Her eyes snap up to mine. “You've been fucking up, Ryan.”

I flinch at the venom in her voice and nod sadly. “Yeah.”

We both sit silently for a minute, the tension in the room building by the second.

“I'm tired,” she whispers, turning her head away from me.

I nod and stand up slowly. I don’t want to leave. I want to hold her, make her feel better. Hell, I want to hold her to makemefeel better. I open the door as quietly as I can, pause in the doorway, and turn my head slightly. “There isn't a person in this world I’d choose over you, Molly. I'm sorry I haven't shown you that.”

32

MOLLY

I wake up to the sound of giggling coming down the hall. I groan into my pillow, throw the covers off, and peel myself out of bed.

I tossed and turned all night. I didn’t even think to look at the date on the messages when I read them. It doesn’t change the fact that he was still calling her babe while we were together, but it softens the blow a little, knowing he put her in her place. I’m happy he’s finally seen her for what she is. I’ve fallen for him so hard.Too hard.If this relationship doesn’t work out, I don’t know how I’m going to pick up the pieces at this point.

As I tip-toe down the hallway, I hear Emma’s little voice ask, “Wyan, do you wuv my mumma?”

I freeze, holding my breath.

“Yeah, kid, I do.”

He loves me.Holy shit.

“Me too. I'm hungwy,” Emma replies.

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