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“You’ve been talking to Duncan?”
“Yeah.”
Duncan hasn’t spoken to me since Cass’s party.
“Now that you’ve got your head on straight, do you think you can fix the screw up and put things right with Lainey?”
“I wish I could. I just don’t think I can keep her happy, Seb.”
Seb punches me in the arm. “You’ll never know if you never try.”
“I can’t mess her around anymore.”
“So you’re just going to sit back and let another man give her what you think you can’t?”
“It’s not like I want to. I just think she’ll be happier with someone else.”
“What about what you want?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Well, I guess it’s just as well you feel that way. You could be back in the friend-zone if all goes well tonight. Then both of you can move on.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Cass, Duncan, and Lainey are going to Barnaby’s tonight, and Lainey might be inviting Rob.”
I feel like I’ve just been shot through the heart. Good to know she feels up to going out with Rob less than two weeks after she decided we shouldn’t be friends. She’s over me and what happened between us already.
I don’t understand the pain that spreads through my chest at the thought. I should be happy for her—for both of us—because this could mean we might be able to be friends again soon. She’ll be back in my life. And even if I want more, and even if I care about her as far more than a friend, it’s good to know she’s getting over me. She’s going to get her happy ending, which she deserves, and that’s worth celebrating.
So why do I feel like the last living part of me just died?
Seb stands up, looking ready to leave.
“Where are you going? You just got here.” After banging my door down and barging in here, I don’t add.
“I’m going to go get ready to go out. Call me when you’re ready to sort yourself out and be a mate.”
“But...”
Before I’ve finished my sentence, Seb has walked out the door. And I sit there, stunned.
Lainey is moving on. Seb is going out without me. For all I know, the new Saturday night crowd at Barnaby’s will be Seb, Lainey, Cass, Duncan, and Rob.
If I don’t do something, I’ll be forever stuck in this vortex of bitterness, pain, and anger I’ve been in since Amber broke my heart.
The question is: is it even possible to break myself out of it?
***
Lucas’s car is in Amber’sdriveway when I get to her place. Seeing it there doesn’t improve the headache which started about a second after Seb left my place earlier this afternoon. I want to get the hell out of here, but even though Lucas’s presence will undoubtedly make this harder, there are some things I need to know.
Taking my courage in hand, I get off my bike and walk up to the door.
Thankfully, it’s Amber who opens it when I knock.
“Ben, what are you doing here?”
