Better If He Goes (Always You #1) - Allie Everhart Page 0,37
through dinner. He barely talked and didn't eat much."
"So he told you this at dinner?"
"No. We went to the park and sat by the fountain. The city just added all these twinkling lights, so it looked really pretty. I'm sure Nate thought it was romantic, which is why he took me there. We sat down and that's when he told me. He said he loves me and wants me to move with him wherever he ends up."
"And what did you say?"
"That I couldn't do it. That I didn't love him. Not in a romantic way."
"Damn," he says with a sigh. "He's probably been working up the courage to tell you that for a long time."
"I guess, although I don't know how long he's felt this way. He had a girlfriend in college last year."
"Having a girlfriend could've been his way of denying his feelings for you, or trying to get rid of those feelings so they wouldn't ruin your friendship. When he figured out those feelings weren't going away, he had to tell you."
"I don't know what to do now. I wish I felt the way he does, but I don't. I can't lie and tell him I do."
"You did the right thing. It may not have been what he wanted to hear, but you were honest with him, and someday, when he's not so angry, he'll appreciate that."
"I doubt it. You saw him tonight. He's so angry with me. I don't know if he'll ever get over it."
"Give him time. He's not thinking straight right now. Do you really think he's willing to lose his best friend, all because you didn't give him the response he wanted?"
"Maybe. He said it's hard to be friends with someone you love and watch that person date other people."
"He needs to get over it. It's part of life. Things don't always go how you want them to, especially when other people are involved. He can't control how you feel, Riley, and you can't make yourself feel something you don't."
"I told him that, but it didn't seem to make him feel better."
"And how are you feeling?"
"Awful. I hate seeing Nate hurting like this."
"It's not your fault. You can't help how you feel."
"I still feel terrible." I sniffle as the tears start up again.
"Where are you right now?"
"Home."
"Is your mom there?"
"No. She just left with Dave."
"I'm coming over."
Chapter Ten
Riley
"You're coming here? Why?"
"I don't want you sitting there all alone feeling sad."
"I don't know, Brad. You should probably stay with Nate. He needs you right now."
"Are you kidding? He won't even talk to me. I went to his room and asked if he wants to talk and he slammed the door in my face."
"I know but—"
"I'm not taking no for an answer. I'm already in my car. Be there in a few minutes."
He ends the call and I toss my phone down and race to my dresser to grab some tissues. I look in the mirror. I'm a mess. My makeup is smeared and streaked from crying and my eyes are red and puffy. I go to the bathroom and wash my face. It makes me feel better, but I still look like a mess.
I should put on more makeup, but I don't have time. And it's not like I'm trying to look good for Brad. I'm still really attracted to him, and my body still gets all warm and tingly whenever he's around, but I'm getting better at ignoring all that, knowing I can't date him. Being with Brad now would be even worse after Nate just proclaimed his love to me and told me how hurt he'd be seeing me with someone else. If that someone else was his cousin, Nate may never talk to me again.
There's a knock on the door. "Riley, it's me."
"It's open," I yell, coming out of my room.
Brad walks in, dressed in dark jeans and a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He hasn't shaved for a few days so his face is covered in stubble, which I find extremely sexy.
It's starting again. The heat. The tingling. It started the moment I saw him. My body doesn't seem to understand he's off limits.
"Hey," he says, a serious look on his face. "I'm sorry about Nate."
I shrug. "Guess I'm not surprised. People always say a guy and girl can't be friends."
"That's not always true." He steps up to me and wraps me in his arms. "It'll get better."
"I don't think it will," I say, sniffling. "I think it's over."