The Pass (Smart Jocks #5) - Rebecca Jenshak Page 0,62
me. If closure is what she came here for, then I can give her that at least.
“You’re amazing, Amelia. I had a lot of fun with you, but you were right. I didn’t even realize how right you were. You knew I was in love with Sydney before I did.” I offer her a sheepish grin.
“I didn’t want to believe it. I know I said it, but I hoped I was wrong, and you’d call. Maybe I didn’t want to admit she was better for you than me.”
“How do you mean?”
“You’re different with her. You smile and laugh a lot more. I hoped it was just friendship, but I guess I always knew. You have all these inside jokes, and you’re always competing over silly things. She gets you in a way no one else does. It’s the reason I could never hate her even when I really wanted to. You two are perfect together.” She lets out an audible sigh and looks up to the sky as the rain starts back up. “I should go.”
“I’m really sorry.” It doesn’t escape me that I’m apologizing for something I couldn’t control, nor would I have even if I’d known, but I am sorry that it hurt Amelia in the process.
We stand and I hug her goodbye and then walk her back into the house and to the front door. The living room and kitchen are mysteriously vacant. I figured my sister would have her ear to the door. I still can’t believe she called Amelia. Tara’s never been shy about voicing her opinions, but she’s never done anything like this before.
The light in her room is on. She looks up from where she lies on her stomach on top of the bed. “Hey.”
“Hey?” I arch a brow and lean against the doorframe. Corinne sits on the floor folding clothes but avoids eye contact. “What the hell was that?”
“Look, Tanner, I love you, but you keep missing what’s right in front of you.”
My thoughts go to Sydney, but I don’t think that’s what she means.
“You’re going to have to break it down for me then because the only thing I can see is how fucked-up it is that you invited my ex-girlfriend down to the same house my current girlfriend is staying.” I glance back out into the living room. “Where is Sydney anyway?”
“She left.”
“What? Why?” I pull out my phone to see if she texted. It isn’t like her to just leave. Yeah, it might be awkward that my ex showed up, but Sydney knows I’d never get back with Amelia. At least I think she does.
Tara meets my gaze and then hers flits away.
“What’s that face?” It hits me slowly. Guilty as hell, that’s what that face is. “Tara, what did you say to her?”
“I was honest. Maybe a little too honest, but she needed to hear it.” Tara gets to her feet. “Sydney seems nice enough and she’s beautiful, of course, but, come on, she’s not the girl for you long-term.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“You keep ruining perfectly good relationships. Amelia is just the last in a long line. I thought if you talked to her you could work things out. You seemed to really like this one, and I liked her too. Don’t blow it because you want to live in this casual fun lifestyle forever. I see guys do it at my school all the time. There are all these great girls, but they continually sleep around with whichever girl hangs around the most.”
“I don’t have enough time to tell you all the ways you’re wrong. Sydney isn’t some girl who’s been hanging around for two years happy to fill in the gaps between girlfriends. She’s my best friend and I love her. I’ve been in love with her. So, whatever grand scheme you concocted to parade all my ex-girlfriends in here and try to help me get over my relationship issues and chase Sydney away, know this: I choose Sydney. I’ve chosen her a million times, and I’ll do it a million times more.” I’m so pissed, but I can deal with Tara later. “I need to find my girl.”
I check the bedrooms just in case, but there’s no sign of Sydney. After grabbing my keys from the kitchen, I rush to the door.
“Tanner?” Corinne calls out.
I throw open the door but pause.
“I overheard her on the phone. I think she’s heading back to Valley.”