One Day

Part 28 - Stand Up

I hear the door open and he walks into the bedroom. "Hey," he says with an apology in his voice. He walks over to me and wraps his arms around me. I don't respond.

"Hey," he says again. "I'm not going to apologize because you've heard it so many times that it's probably losing its meaning at this point. I just wanted to check on her. I haven't talked to her in a while."

"That doesn't make it any easier," I snap as I pull myself out of his arms and walk over to the dresser looking for clothes to change into. I smell like fried foods and milkshakes. "It hurts, you know? It hurts that you still call her. It hurts that you still text her. And I try to ignore it...I try to ignore the fact that she still takes up the majority of your heart. But, geez. It hurts."

My heart breaks a little more when he doesn't deny it. "I know," he sighs. "But you know that I'm trying."

"Are you freaking kidding me? You are just going to stand there and tell me you are trying? What do you expect from me?" I'm yelling. "What would you like for my response to be? Huh?"

He just stands there looking at me like I've grown horns. I've not stood up for myself and I'm not about to give in yet.

"Here's the deal – I deserve to be happy. You deserve to be happy. Everyone in the world deserves to be happy! So, make up your freaking mind. I will no longer be the girl that stands in the shadows while you play with my heart. You said you picked me so either live up to your word or get the hell out of my life."

Tears sting at my eyes and I blink them back as I continue. "I just want to be the most important to you. The one you think about during the day, the one you call to check on. Not someone almost 400 miles away that doesn't even want you calling!"

I walk past him towards the bathroom to take a shower when he grabs my arm and pulls me into him.

"Stop it," I say as I try to pull away. "I'm tired, Jace. I'm so tired of you sweeping me off my feet one minute and then dropping me flat on my back the next. I've done everything in my power to be patient with you while you work through it all but I'm just tired." I try to pull from his grip but he still won't let me go. "I'm mad, Jace. Just let me be mad."

No matter how bad I smell or how greasy my face is, he leans down and kisses me anyway. His mouth is on mine but I refuse to part my lips. He pulls away and stares at me.

"I love you. You know that. I wouldn't be here if I didn't." He says it with so much conviction that I can't not believe him.

I'm so angry with him but I just sigh and look away. Arguing any further will get us nowhere. I just want to shower and be left alone with my thoughts. "And I love you." I pull myself out of his arms and shut the door to the bathroom. I lean against the counter and drop my head.

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