Page 101 of Trust Again

“Well, you made it pretty easy for me. What did you expect? That we could still be friends after everything that happened? That I could just watch you do this?” I waved my arm to indicate the house and everything it represented.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated.

He kept saying that like it meant something. “I accept your apology.” I returned the pressure on his hand. Once. Then I let go. Just at the right moment, because someone was coming down the stairs. The wooden staircase creaked loudly.

“Who was at the door?” came Rebecca’s voice from the hall.

Then she appeared in the doorway to the living room and stopped when she saw me sitting at the table. Her face paled. Her shock reflected my own. Looking down, I saw her swollen belly. Either she’d eaten an entire turkey, or more congratulations were due.

Nate cleared his throat. “That’s the second thing I wanted to tell you.”

So that was the mistake for which he was taking responsibility. That was the reason for his hasty wedding, the purchase of the house, and his depressed phone call. He’d meant it when he said he was going to take responsibility.

“Congratulations,” I said. Then I stood up slowly, returned Rebecca’s nod, and walked out of the living room to the hall.

“Dawn, wait!” Nate was right behind me but I didn’t pay attention.

As fast as I could, I got out of there. Past the plants and bushes, I hurried to Allie’s car. I could see my friend already, and sighed in relief. But footsteps were following behind me, and a hand grabbed my arm.

“Dawn, please, listen to me,” Nate insisted. “You can…”

I swung around. “No!”

He blinked, stunned.

I took a deep breath. “I spent six years of my life with you only to be thrown away like trash. I’ve spent the last year getting over it. I’m done with us. And for the sake of Rebecca and your unborn child you should do the same.”

He refused to let go. His grip only tightened, as if he were desperately clinging to some last hope.

“Let go, Nate.”

He shook his head. “But…”

“She told you to let go, asshole,” came Allie’s voice from behind me. He let go.

“Who’s that?” he asked, keeping his eyes on Allie.

“I’m Allie. Pleasure to meet you.”

Before he could blink, her fist shot out and delivered a right hook to his chin. Nate yelped and held his jaw, cursing loudly.

I stared at Allie, my mouth hanging open. She clenched her teeth and shook out her hand. “You ready?” she asked.

I nodded silently. Allie linked arms with me and led me to the car. Away from the house that used to symbolize my future—along with the man who now stood on the sidewalk muttering to himself. I took one look back over my shoulder. When our eyes met, the goodbye was final.

Chapter 35

That same day, I went back with Allie to Woodshill. We stopped at Best Buy so I could pick up a new phone. I also registered a new number in case Nate didn’t take my demand seriously, and I sent Sawyer a message immediately, telling her my self-imposed exile was over. She responded with a middle finger emoji. Apparently, nothing had changed.

“How is your hand not broken right now?” I asked Allie when we pulled up in front of the dorm.

“Kaden gave me a couple lessons at the gym. With a punching bag,” Allie said cheerfully.

“That’s a great idea—I should do it, too. Then I can defend myself without relying on my friend to be a badass.”

“Let me teach you,” she said as we took my bags out of the trunk.

When we arrived at my room, the door flew open before I could even reach for the handle. A whirlwind of blonde hair almost knocked me down. The hug lasted a second; then Sawyer broke away from me. Before I knew it, she’d flicked me in the forehead with her finger.