Between Us (all of us #1)

T H I R T Y O N E

A U B R E E

When the party ended, I was all alone.

Solana offered to stay, but I told her to go. That I'd be okay and really just needed time to think.

Roger did pop in earlier with a big look at me sort of gift, only to further convince Diesel that he's the good guy despite him not contributing a thing for this party.

He left as quickly as he came, and before he was gone he made sure he kept up his front as the Pleasantville husband by leaning in like he was going to kiss me on the cheek, but instead murmured the word Pathetic in my ear.

I stood in the middle of the backyard watching the last few guests leave, thanking me for having them as they all trailed out the gate. I shut the music off and spun around to look at the aftermath. It'd take me hours to put everything away, but I kicked off my heels and began folding up chairs, carrying them to the shed, trip after trip. I folded up table cloths, carried leftover cookies and food inside and set them on the island, and then I took a seat.

I sat down on the sofa, realizing how exhausting that was. How exhausting it is to smile at everyone when you feel like shit on the inside.

Roger's voice still echos in my head. Pathetic.

I can't do anymore today. I don't want to be a wife anymore.

I run up the stairs, changing into a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I put on my comfortable white trainers because I'm tired of heels. I'm tired of dressing like a professional model. I'm tired of being told I need to be made up all the time because everyone Roger works for or is friends with needs to know he has a trophy wife who never has a single hair out of place—and that's only because he sets and pays for my bi weekly hair appointments.

I throw my hair into a messy bun and snag my bag before shooting out the door.

This is crazy. You're crazy, I think as I cruise down the street. Chasing a boy. Being in love with a boy.

Insanity.

But Trenton isn't a boy anymore. It's been so hard to wrap my head around that, yet it's the simple truth.

And I shouldn't be ashamed of my feelings for him, I shouldn't feel pathetic for being in love with Trenton because Roger says I am. I shouldn't let him feel like he's second best when he's been the first and only thing on my mind.

I love him.

And he needs to hear it again because I can't let another minute go on with him thinking I don't.

My hands are shaking around the steering wheel as I pull up to Trenton's house. His car isn't here and my mind automatically reads that as a bad sign, but I pick up my phone and call him anyway.

I listen as the line trills and eventually goes to voicemail. I call again and the same thing happens. Did he block me?

I push the lock button on the side and tap the edge of the phone to my chin as I muster up the courage to knock. But before I even step out of my car, the front door opens and a girl steps outside.

She's got earphone cords dangling from her hands and when she gets closer, I realize it's his younger sister and she's coming right up to the car.

She bends down to speak through the open window. "Mrs. Cooper, I thought that was you."

"Hi, Joselyn...I'm looking for your brother. Is he home?"

She purses her lips curiously and then shakes her head. "He doesn't live here anymore."