With You

Chapter 21

A week before spring break everything is great. Almost. I still haven't told Tyler about what happened at the party that night, but by next week he will know. He was bummed that I didn't let him come visit me during his break. I told him I wouldn't be any fun because I have so much to do, but truthfully I wasn't ready to face him.

I haven't told my best friends either. I know they won't judge me, but I just want to forget about the whole thing. If only I could go back in time.

After my creative writing class I walk back to my dorm and stop in my track when I see who's standing by my door. I try to walk back to the elevator as quietly as I can so Zayden wouldn't see me. It doesn't work. Before I turn the corner I hear him scream out my name.

"Adalyn!"

I try to walk as fast as I can to the elevator but it closes before I make it. I look over my shoulder and see him approaching me. "It's now or never," I think to myself.

Zayden grabs my shoulder and spin me around.

"You haven't talked to me since that night. That was almost a month ago," he mouths.

I step away from the elevator so a couple can get on.

"Come on." We walk to one of the benches outside and I think about how I'm going to let him down. I try every angle in my head, but I know in the end he's the one that's going to be hurt. I sit as far as I can from him. He gives a weird look but don't question it.

"We can't be friends anymore, Zay," I say it so low I'm surprised he hears me.

"I know," he agrees. "I can't be your friend anymore, Lynn. I need more."

I lift my head up and look over at him. "What? I can't give you that. I have a boyfriend."

He tries to scoot closer to me, but I put my hand up to stop him. "Please stay right there. Don't come any closer."

Pain is written all over his face, but this is the best thing to do. He's not the person I want and I've always known that.

"Lynn, I didn't make you do anything that you didn't want to do. You play a big part in this too."

"I know that and I'm sorry, but I can't give you what you want. The fact still remains. I'm in a relationship, Zayden."

He stands up and paces back and forth. "You cheated on him with me so that must count for something. You have feelings for me, why are you hiding them," he questions.

He spits the word cheated out with so much anger. I tightly close my eyes to keep the tears at bay.

"That was a mistake," I whisper. I gather my things and stand up. I close the little distance that's between us and look him right in the eyes.

"I don't love you. I love, Tyler." He looks away from me briefly. "I'm sorry I've lead you on, but a little crush is nothing compared to what I feel for him, Zayden."

He blows out a breath and shakes his head. "So this is it, huh?"

I wipe my eyes. I hate that I have to be this way towards him, but this is the right thing to do. I have to be truthful and I owe Zayden that much.

"It would never work. My heart belongs to someone else. I'm sorry for breaking your heart." I give him a soft kiss on his cheek and walk away. I glance over my shoulder and see that he's still standing in the same spot.

When I get inside my room I lay face first into the bed. I don't know how people deal with these things. I never thought I'd be the type of girl to cheat on her boyfriend. Some girls do it because their boyfriends make them feel like shit or is an asshole, but Tyler hasn't done anything to deserve this. We went through that little break up over winter break, but what I've done doesn't compare. I feel guilty because I actually enjoyed it. When I tell him next week, it's going to crush him. I just hope that he forgives me.

"I'm so glad to be back home," Josh whispers from beside me.

"Yeah," Cooper chimes in. "It's good to be back."

We all wait in the airport until Madison calls us to say she's outside. When we go outside she immediately spots us and we exchange hugs.

"Wow, Madi. You really did grow overnight," Cooper says while pulling her into a hug. We laugh and she tries to be mad but fails.

"Hi, baby," Josh pulls her in for a kiss and crouches down to kiss her stomach. "And hi to my other baby."

Their intimate moment makes Madison tear up a little and I smile at the both of them.

On our way to my house we make small talk and Cooper tells us he's kind of sad that Ava couldn't make it out here.

"I offered to pay for her ticket, but she didn't let me."

I smile and rub his arm. "You know that's how she is. She likes to get everything on her own."

"True. When will Tyler be here?"

"Tomorrow."

I wake up the next morning to a phone call from Josh. I look at the time and see that is ten-thirty.

"Hello," I say half sleep.

"It's a girl, Lynn," he responds.

I forgot that they were going to find out the gender of the baby today. I climb out of the bed and walk to the living room.

"Are you serious?!" I can't hide the excitement from my voice.

"Yeah," he sniffles a bit and I know he's trying not to cry over the phone. "We're having a daughter."

"Oh my God. When are you guys coming back to the house?"

"In a bit. We should all go out to dinner."

"Yeah," I agree. "That should be fun. I'll let Tyler know when he gets out here."

"Okay, I'll see you at home."

I hang up the phone and smile to myself. I still can't believe my best friend and cousin is having a baby. A little girl and she's going to be around so much love. They're going to make great parents.