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They turned their attention back to Ryan and Amara, who were both using their hands like a couple of Italian grandmothers as they argued.
“I don’t understand why you had to start your shit, Baylor. You’re with Ty now, and I’m with Jake. Why is that not enough for you?”
“Because I’m still fucking in love with you!” he yelled, dropping to his knees and burying his face in his hands. “And I don’t wanna be anymore,” he whimpered, looking up at her.
“Ryan, I’m not in love with you. I never was, and I never will be. I love you, you’re one of my best friends. But I’m not in love with you.”
“I know that. That’s why it hurts so fucking bad.”
“You? Have to get over me, Ry. It’s not fair to Ty. You have to.”
Jake looked over at Hayes, surprised, expecting him to react. “Um, wow. And this is fine with you?”
“Listen, man. It’s not a secret. I know he’s stuck on her. He has been since the day he met her. I was for a long time, too. But what am I gonna do, get mad at him for feelin’ what he feels? I don’t love it, but I love him.”
Jake shook his head and exhaled. “You’re a much better man than I am. So you and her? You had a thing, too?"
“Like I said, man,” Ty said, checking his phone. “Talk to her. You need to talk to her.”
“This is all...” He stood up, shaking his head again. “This is too much. I think I’m gonna take off.”
The doomed duo was now both on the floor across from each other, seated directly in front of the elevator doors. Jake approached them cautiously, but neither of them even took notice of him.
“Do not lie to me: did you stop your therapy, Ry?”
He nodded slowly, avoiding eye contact.
“Why would you do that? It was helping. You were doing so well.”
“I thought I was better,” he said softly. “And I thought I was strong enough to do it on my own. I wanna be strong enough to do this on my own.”
“Ryan, it can take years to get to the point where you’re ‘better.’ It doesn’t mean you’re not strong. You’re one of the strongest people I know. But you don’t stop just because you think you’re better. You need to see it through to the end.”
“Hey, sorry to interrupt...whatever this is, but I’m gonna head out. I’ll Uber home and come back for my car tomorrow. This is just...clearly, there’s a lot going on here, and I’m in the way, so...”
Amara jumped up and tried to put her arms around him. “Listen, we should probably…” He pushed her away lightly. “So, that’s it?”
“I don’t know, Amara. All I know is that this? There’s some weird shit going on here, and I don’t really know if I wanna be a part of it.” He pressed the button on the elevator and waited, as Ryan got up off the floor and backed away, giving them their space.
“So, that’s it?” she repeated, tears welling up, as the door opened and he stepped on.
“Maybe we can talk about this later. Or maybe not. I just...right now, I need to go.”
She watched the door close and stood there staring at it for a moment.
“Amara?” Ryan asked, but she turned away without a word and headed back down the hallway to the apartment, with Hayes following behind her.
Ryan caught up with him and attempted to grab his hand, but he pulled away and just kept walking. “Hayes? I’m sorry...”
Turning around, he shrugged his shoulders. “This is...just a giant fuckin’ mess.” Ryan leaned forward and Hayes immediately put his arms out, pulling him in for a hug.
“I’m sorry,” Ryan whispered. “I really like you. I’m just...I’m not over her, man.”
Hayes broke the hug. “You like me? Aww, isn’t that cute?” he said disappointedly.
“Hayes, that’s not…I meant…”
“You meant what? You have no problem telling her you love her. Do you love me? Because I love you, Ryan. A fuckin' lot, actually."
