Page 87 of Versions Of Us

“Yeah. When I went to get us drinks earlier. For what it’s worth, I don’t think he’s such a bad guy. I mean, he’s broody as fuck.” His eyebrows shoot up and I manage a laugh. “But he’s not all bad. He obviously still cares about you. I think he has a lot of regrets.”

I glance back over at Henley. Mackenzie is saying something to him, but his stare is focused squarely on me.

“Just give it some time. Maybe he’ll come around,” Chase says, rubbing my upper arm.

“What am I supposed to do while I wait for that day to happen?”

“Well, you’ve got me.” He pulls me in for a hug, gives my shoulders a squeeze and then adds, “First we’re gonna pack up all of this stuff and then we’re gonna ride the big zipper till we puke.”

I grin up at him through my tears. “Sounds like a plan.”

Chapter 37

HENLEY

We like to think we’re irreplaceable, that it would be impossible for anyone else to just waltz in and fill our shoes. And I never expected her to wait for me, but it kills me to see her with someone else, even if that someone else is not actually dating her anymore. He still gets to spend all of his free time with her.

I watch as he pulls her in close, the way she tilts her head to meet his gaze and something heavy turns over in my chest. I lean back onto the brick wall behind me, thankful it’s there to support my weight. I can’t take this torture anymore.

“Stop tormenting yourself. You know they’re just friends.” I catch Mackenzie watching me in my peripheral, but my stare doesn’t waver.

“So they say. But it doesn’t look that way,” I mutter.

“Well, it is that way. She told me so.”

“It’s not like it matters. She hates me.” I force myself to look away from Chase and Kristen.

“She doesn’t hate you. She just doesn’t know the truth. And that’s my fault.” Guilt mars Mackenzie’s features, but she isn’t the one to blame.

“It’s not your fault. I just want to protect you.” I don’t mean for my voice to increase in volume, but frustration is getting the better of me.

“I know you do, but this is getting ridiculous,” she retaliates. “I mean, back there at the petting zoo? That was awkward as fuck.”

“Yeah,” I agree. Running into Pamela Riley had not been pleasant.

“I heard what she said to you when we were leaving. It’s not right.”

“I know, Mackenzie. But what am I supposed to do?” I ask her. “If I tell the truth, it affects you too.”

Mackenzie lets out a frustrated sigh. She doesn’t like what I’m telling her, but she knows I’m right. Our truths depend on each other.

If I go down, she goes down with me.

“I’ll tell her,” she says in a voice so quiet I almost miss it. “Soon. I’ll tell her what I need to tell her. Then maybe you can stop using me as an excuse.”

“You know that isn’t what I’m doing,” I say. “I care about you. But we have to come clean sooner or later.”

“Yeah.”

I suck in a breath, running a hand through my hair. “You’ll really tell her?”

“I will,” Mackenzie says defiantly. “Soon.”

“Okay.”

“All is not lost my friend,” she says, slapping her palm on my shoulder then reaching around to give me a quick hug. “I’m gonna get out of here. Might go enjoy having the TV to myself before Kristen gets home. You gonna be alright?”

I smile at her concern for me. Even with the weight of the world on her back she still has time to worry about me.

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