Emily's POV
"Why wouldn't you tell them?" I ask as we sit down in a booth in the corner with our drinks.
"Well, I'm sort of mad at Izzy and Riley, and what Connor did is unforgivable," he tells me.
"You can say that again," I mutter. "What's going on with Toby and Izzy?"
"I don't want to talk about it," he says, looking out the window.
"That's understandable. I don't really want to talk about Connor," I say.
"That's understandable. So, do you know how long you're going to be where you're staying?" he asks. I shrug.
"I honestly have no idea. Connor's going to find out sometime soon and start visiting me every day. I don't know when he's going to find out or how, but I know I won't be ready for it yet."
"Do you think you'll ever get over it?" he asks.
"I don't know. I really liked him, and I thought that I wouldn't be hurt again. I was ready for a serious relationship, but now I'm not because he kissed Megan. I may never forgive him for it. This was supposed to be the best summer ever, you know? I was with my friend, my favorite band in the entire world who ended up becoming my friends, and possibly a boyfriend. Now, my best friend is messing with two boys hearts and doesn't know how to control her hormones, which is REALLY starting to piss me off, and I got mad because somebody that I didn't even have a labeled relationship with kissed his ex-girlfriend when I thought we had something special, and he won't stop calling my phone, texting me, and tweeting at me. It's really pissing me off, and I don't know how to end it besides going home, but I can't yet because I need to drive Izzy home on my way home, and she can't leave until she fixes her own mess," I rant. He's silent for a few seconds, letting it all sink in.
"I thought you didn't want to talk about Connor," he finally says.
"Yeah, well, I think what I just needed was to talk about it," I say. My phone vibrates with a text, and I read it. "I have to go. I forgot that Thomas is expecting his usual."
"Wait, you're staying with Thomas?" he asks. I nod, standing up.
"Yeah, but you can't tell anybody," I say. He also stands up.
"I wouldn't dream of it. You're a soccer player. Guys should never mess with female soccer players," he says.
"True shit. Hey, if you ever need to talk about it like I just did, you have my number, so you can just call me," I say.
"I'll keep that in mind." I smile.
"Give me a hug, you big lug," I say. He smiles and leans down to hug me. I hug him back, and I leave with Thomas's iced coffee.
************************
Braiden found out. He found me hanging out in Thomas's room when he went to go to the bathroom. He promised not to tell, but he gave me one of his Braiden speeches.
"Emily, I really think you should talk to Connor," he says, sitting down next to me on Thomas's bed.
"I can't. He really hurt me," I say, twiddling my thumbs.
"He's heartbroken. He hasn't left his room in days," he tells me.
"Well, now he knows how I feel," I say, my thumbs going faster as I twiddle. He places his hand on top of mine, and I look up at him.
"He knows he made a big mistake. He hasn't talked to Megan since, and she's been trying to call him. All he wants is for you to come back. Staying away from him isn't the best choice. All you're doing is hurting him and yourself by not talking about it. Talking about it may lift the weight that's on your shoulders right now. You'll feel better, and you'll be able to speak your mind. He'll listen to you. He always does. He really likes you, and he regrets kissing Megan back. Just talk to him soon. You don't have to do it right away, but please do it soon," he says, and he kisses the side of my head before disappearing to finally pee.
