Babysitter or Boyfriend?

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

I didn't want to cry over Conner. I really didn't, because when all was said and done, we were practically strangers. He and Becca were, like, soulmates. Who was I to stand in their way of a happy future?

But the night he left me for her, I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, my eyes were sore but my heart didn't feel quite so...broken. I knew I had no choice but to be happy for Conner and Becca-they were my friends, and they deserved one another. I told myself that over and over again, until it almost made me feel better.

I was taking my empty cereal bowl to the sink when the doorbell rang. I knew my roommates were taking advantage of the sunshine and working on their tans at the beach, so I shuffled over to the door. I could really care less that my hair was a disaster, and my eyes looked like...well, like I'd been crying for hours.

My heart leapt into my throat when I saw Alex on the front porch. He looked even better than usual, but maybe that was because I hadn't seen him in over three days-practically a century in best friend time.

Alex didn't bother with a hello. "I heard about Conner and Becca. Or rather, saw them being lovey dovey on the couch this morning," he said, his eyes searching my face.

Immediately my defensive side took over. I wasn't in the mood to deal with Alex's attitude. "Did you come here to say 'I told you so'?" I said crossly.

His eyes flashed angrily. "Actually, I came here to see if you were okay," he snapped. "But if that's how it's going to be, I'll just-"

As soon as he turned to go, I realized I'd been completely rude. "Wait!" I cried, reaching for his arm to hold him in place. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Alex, don't go yet."

Alex regarded me suspiciously for a moment, then nodded and stepped into the apartment. "So are you?" he asked, barely meeting my gaze. "Okay with it all, I mean?"

I shrugged. "As okay as I can be," I admitted. "I did develop feelings for Conner, and he's such a great guy that it's a shame he was always so in love with someone else. But Becca deserves him, and she was there first. I have to accept that. I'm happy for them."

Finally Alex looked right at me. "If it makes you feel any better, I think you did the right thing by telling Conner about Becca still being in love with him. It may kind of suck for you, but you've made him really, really happy again. It's nice to have my buddy back to normal."

I nodded once. "Glad I could help," I murmured.

A moment of unusually awkward silence passed, and then Alex moved towards the door. "Well, I guess I'll get going. Just wanted to make sure you're alright."

"You're just going to leave?" I asked, watching him reach for the door handle. "Alex, how long is this fight going to last?"

Alex gave me a sad look. "You tell me, Ave," he said softly. "You were pretty pissed off, and not that you didn't have a right to be...I just figured you were still pretty upset with me."

I sighed. "You know, I may have been pissed at you, Alex, but I was pretty rude to you, too. I shouldn't have said that you only date girls for sex, because you were right-I know it's not true," I paused, swallowed my pride, and finished, "I'm really sorry."

For a moment he continued to stare at me, and I was half afraid he wouldn't accept my apology. Before I knew it, however, his hand was on my shoulder and I was being hauled up against his chest. I sigh with relief as my arms instinctively went around his waist.

"I'm sorry, too, Avery. I can't believe what an ass I was. I had no right to be upset about you kissing Conner," he broke off and pulled back to look me in the eye. "It was just that-I felt-"