Trace

Chapter 28

At Niall's words, I literally feel my heart drop in my chest.

"W-what do you mean?" I wonder, dumbfounded.

It is apparent that Niall is doing his best to hold the tears back, but when I reassure him that it's alright to cry in front of me, they stream down his feverish cheeks slowly.

"I don't know how it happened. Or even why. Was I really not good enough for her?? I did everything she wanted me to do, cared for her, kissed her, held her, touched her, kept her safe from harm. Why would and how could she do this to me?" he cries aloud.

I wrap my arm around my best friend and whisper confiding words into his ear.

"When she told me that she was hanging out with an old friend over text one morning, I didn't question it. But then she texted me the same thing for three days in a row. When I asked her who she was spending her days with, she admitted to it being Toby."

I squeeze Niall's shoulder lightly and wipe a tear from his soft cheek with my index finger.

He swallows before going on. "And the day after that, I took her out for dinner; she was avoiding eye contact whenever I brought Toby up. I knew something was going on, but I didn't know what or why. So, I instinctively did what I thought was best. Anne hadn't told me where they were going the next day, but I took a reasonable guess. His boat."

I groan a disapproval.

"Sure enough, when I pulled up to the pier, there they were. She was in a green and black bikini- one that showed off her breasts and I could tell Toby was taking it all in. Before I knew it, they got into his stupid yacht and his hands were all over her and she did nothing to stop it. It seemed like hours that they were kissing, and I just needed to get out of there. I was afraid if I stayed long enough I'd either murder Toby or break down in tears."

My heart aches for poor Niall. I can't seem to wrap my mind around why Anne would do this. Last time I had talked to her, Niall was all she could babble about. That girl could go on for HOURS about him and saying how great and sexy he was.

"Niall...I don't know what to say. Whenever I talk to her, she has nothing but amazing things to say about you. She never hinted that anything was wrong, or that she was seeing Toby again."

"He's a cheating bastard. Broke Anne's heart and now Ayla's!" he demanded angrily.

"Do you think Ayla knows?" I ask quietly.

"Doubt it. Why would she?"

I shrug my shoulders and rest my head on Niall's.

"Sure has been an exciting summer," I comment unenthusiastically.

Niall nods his head.

"You going to be okay? Do you want me to stay the night, or you could come over my house?" I offer.

"Don't worry about me, love. I should be fine. I already told Anne that I needed to talk to her, and I'm going to her place tomorrow to sort things out."

"Let me know how it goes. I'm gonna give her a piece of me when you're done with her."

He chuckles lightheartedly. "You sure are intimidating."

"Never underestimate me," I wink, grinning.

Soon enough, Niall and I say our good-byes and I give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Rest up, big boy," I say, before leaving his room.

"Hey El?" he calls back, before I go out his bedroom door.

"Yeah?"

"Are you gonna be alright?" he questions softly.

"How do you mean?"