The New Separation (Book 2)

Chapter 18

Elliot

Emily and Lindsey didn't take too much longer to come back, which I was grateful for. I mean, it was kinda nice just sitting with Colton and talking like that, save for my random and embarrassing comment I had to say, but, at the same time, it was still a little weird trying to have a normal conversation with him when it was just the two of us.

Lindsey slid into the booth first, immediately asking where Henry went. I couldn't be certain, but I felt like there might be something going on between those two. Not that I'd ever ask. They weren't even my friends. I probably didn't have the right to ask.

While Colton answered her, Emily was giving me a look. I didn't particularly like that look, mostly because I didn't know what she meant by it. It literally could have meant anything, considering I no longer knew where she stood with this whole situation I've found myself in now.

We didn't stay too much later, since Emily needed to be back home for dinner and she happened to be my ride. I think she almost suggested I stay and have Colton bring me home, but I tried to shut her up with a bit of a kick to the shin. It wasn't a hard kick, not at all, just hard enough to make her get the message. It worked: she shut up.

"What was that for?" she demanded as soon as we got into her car. "You could have stayed and talked to him more! I know you wanted to."

I scoffed. "Yeah, sure. You weren't the one left stranded at a table with your ex making the awkwardest conversation ever. Besides..." I glanced at her to see a weird scowl on her face. "Weren't you the one telling me to just forget about him and move on? What changed all of a sudden? Now you're all for me getting back together with him? Since when?"

Emily sighed. "Since I saw how happy he looked whenever his eyes landed on you. He may be a worthless scumbag for breaking your heart, but he seems like he's still very much in love with you. As long as he doesn't hurt you again, I'd approve of the relationship a second time."

I crossed my arms and sat back in the seat. "He's not still in love with me," I muttered, although I couldn't help but hear his whispered words echo through my head. "How could he be? He cheated on me. And even if it were the case, how could I trust him again?"

"Well, the cheating bit," Emily started, pulling into my driveway, "that's where the scumbag part comes in. But I honestly think I judged him a bit too harshly at first. You forget that I got to know him a bit too, while you guys were together. And I was kinda talking to Lindsey in the bathroom. He wants to win you back, Elliot. I'm not saying you have to trust him right away, but maybe, if you want to, take it slow?"

I nodded my head slowly. Maybe that might just work.

Colton

"I hate you both," I told my friends as soon as Elliot and Emily left the cafe.

Lindsey had a small smile on her face, faking innocence. "Why? What did we ever do to you?"

I shot her a glare. "You know exactly what you did." Henry gave Lindsey a smug look, so I glared at him too. "Both of you."

He gaped at me. "What did I do? My mom literally called me then. I couldn't not answer. You know how she'd get."

"Didn't you also mention your mom's on some business trip on the other side of the planet right now? I don't think she'd call at just the right time to ditch your best friend with his ex-boyfriend."

"Dude, did you even hear a word I said earlier?" he asked. "My mom was in China last month. She's home now. Jeez."

I shrugged. At least I got part of it right. I still thought he planned it a little too perfectly, though, not that I'd ever say that again.

"Really, Colton," Lindsey said. "What's so wrong about talking to the kid anyway? You guys used to talk all the time. I know you want to get back to that level."

"Yeah. Also used to have sex with him, but in case you didn't know, that hasn't happened in even longer. We're never going to get back to that 'level', as you put it. Forcing interactions like that definitely won't make it happen either."

"Damn, someone's a bit defensive," Henry muttered.

"Wouldn't you be?" I snapped back. "I fucked up with the only person I ever loved. He's never going to want to be with me again because I've totally ruined everything between us. And you guys are just sitting here thinking everything will be fine if I just talk to him. Yeah, we've tried that. Hasn't gotten us anywhere. So just leave me alone already."

With that, I stood up from the table and walked right out the door.

I did feel bad for snapping at them like that. I'm sure they really were just trying to help. But it didn't feel like help today. Not when everything between me and Elliot felt like it was getting worse.

"Colton, wait!"

I turned just as I was about to get into the car to see Lindsey running across the parking lot towards me. "What?" I sighed, leaning against the door in defeat.

She came to a stop a few feet in front of me. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize how much this was still affecting you. I shouldn't have asked them to sit with us, not until I really knew how you felt."

"Yeah. Just because I still love him doesn't mean he's ever going to love me again."

Lindsey shook her head slowly. "That's where you're wrong, Colton. He does. And even if Emily didn't tell me, it's clearly written all over his expressions. That boy could not take his eyes off you today."

For some reason, that thought made me smile.