Hard to Love You

Chapter 21

I ran upstairs and stumbled into a pair of strong arms. I pounded on his chest and he held me tighter.

" Ashley," Daniel said softly.

I broke down and became limp and sobbed into his chest, hugging him back and digging my nails into his back.

" Daniel. He was che-cheat-cheating on me," I stuttered.

He hushed me and held me tighter. I cried harder.

" He wasn't cheating on me. He was cheating on his girlfriend with me."

I felt him nod.

" I know Ashley. Veronica and I heard everything," he said softly into my hair.

" It hurts."

I cried and I felt Daniel swallow a lump in his throat.

" Want me to go out and find him? I can go and chop off his dick," he joked lightly.

I laughed softly and stopped crying. I pulled away and I wiped away my tears.

" No. You'd go to jail," I said. But the thought made me feel better.

He led me into his room and I looked at Veronica shyly.

" Awe come here Ashley."

I walked over to her and sat on the bed next to her. She pulled me into a tight squeeze and didn't let go. She held me and I started crying again.

" It's ok. He was stupid. You did the right thing," she murmured.

It felt good to have a girl hold me and tell me these pointless things.

" I know. It's happened to me. Let it out."

I cried harder and and she rocked, having me rock with her. I heard her tell Daniel something.

" I don't know.."

Veronica must have shot him a look because next thing I knew I heard a car pulling out of the driveway. She pulled my hair out of its bun and pulled it into a loose ponytail.

" Want to say anything?" she asked.

I wiped my eyes and sniffled. I looked at her. At her caring eyes and I wanted to cry all over again. She's like the mom I never had. The best girl friend I never had.

" He's an asshole," I whispered.

She nodded and handed me a pillow.

" Squeeze it while you talk. It feels a lot better."

I took the pillow in my arms and began squeezing it instantly.

***

I scooped another spoon of ice cream into my mouth. I was sitting cross legged in front of Veronica in Daniels room. I'm over my crying stage and now I'm just plain angry. Daniel had came back with chocolates and two tubs of ice cream. He brought us spoons and left. I heard him go into the living room and turn the tv on.

I let the ice cream melt in my mouth then swallowed it.

" Thanks for listening though. I didn't mean to tell you my whole life story."

She smiled and took a big scoop of ice cream.

" I don't mind. Now it makes sense why Daniel still lives here."

I smiled.

" You know I've never had a girl talk before. I'm sorry of I did anything wrong or whatever."

She laughed.

" You did everything right! You talked, let everything out, and showed all emotions. Perfect!"

I smiled and sat my spoon in the bowl and switched to chocolate.

" I never knew chocolate and ice cream could make me feel so much better alone."

" Yeah. You are definitely knew to this."

I laughed then turned gloomy. I lied down and hugged the pillow tightly.

" I just can't believe I fell for him. Like I actually love him."

" You know what you just said?"

I looked up at her confused.

" You said you love him."

I nodded slowly.

" Yeah.."

She smiled.

" You didn't say I loved him."

I opened my mouth to protest but she popped a chocolate into my mouth.

" Listen. You said love. Which means you still care. I know what he did was wrong. Shit. It was fucked up. But maybe you should talk to him. Not right now. All hell would break loose."

I laughed and she smiled.

" Just talk to him in a couple days. Talk to the girl. Find out if he broke up with her. If he did he truly does care. If he didn't, he never gave a fuck. Give him a chance. Make him feel guilty. And more important of everything. Make him regret treating you like shit. Show him you are the one in charge."

She seemed so serious. I'd never imagine Veronica being hurt by somebody. She's so beautiful that any guy would want her. Tears were glistening in her eyes and my heart broke for her.

" My brothers a god guy," I said softly.

She smiled and blinked several times.

" I know. I can tell by the way he takes care of you. And the way he treats me. We've only been going out for two days and he's already treated me better than any other guy."