Page 103 of Deliverance

I stare at her, speechless.

“Please tell me you forgive me, please tell me this isn’t over. I can’t lose you,” she cries, closing the distance between us. She buries her head into my neck as her shoulders heave with sobs and I hold her to me, unsure what to say or do.

Goddamn, I’m a coward, because I absolutely take the easy way out. I hold her tighter to me, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as I shush her.

“Of course, we’re not over. I’m right here,” I say, my traitorous tongue tangling myself deeper into this messy web.

She pulls away, giving me a watery smile.

“Really?”

I nod, and she presses her lips to mine. I’m not entirely shocked at what I feel. Or, more specifically, what I don’t feel. Kissing Bridgette was like a long awaited return home. It was like fireworks and magic all balled up into one. Kissing Maryia feels like…well, kissing. Like two pairs of lips mashed together. There is no spark, there is no…

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise. How about I take you out? Wherever you want to go?” she says, interrupting my thoughts.

“Sure, I’d like that,” I say, so convincingly I almost fool myself.

Chapter Thirty Eight

Maggie

The next day, Maryia and I have come back from our classes for the day and are getting settled in for a movie night in my room.

“I’m gonna take a shower and get into pajamas. Want to join me?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “I’m good. You relax.”

I nod as I step inside the bathroom. The guilt is beginning to fester inside me, and it’s only been a day. I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep this up. Especially when Maryia is being so goddamn lovey. She is overcompensating for being a jealous psycho, but you know, maybe she had a little bit of a reason to be. I mean, I didn’t think she did, but clearly…I was wrong.

I texted Brad that I needed him to come watch Bridgette today, and he didn’t question me, just said that he was on his way. He’s honestly the best. I know Bridgette and him have their sibling stuff to work through, but he’s a great guy.

As I’m in the shower, I realize that I left the new bottle of shampoo on my dresser. Fuck. Leaving the shower running, I lay down a towel on the floor as I grab another to wrap around me before slipping out of the bathroom. When I open the door, Maryia practically jumps out of her skin, setting my phone onto my desk. I pause, looking between her and the phone.

“You done already?” she asks in a high-pitched tone betraying her guilt.

“I forgot my shampoo. Were…” I pause. “Were you going through my phone?”

She stares at me for a moment before ducking her head.

“I was just making sure you weren’t texting anyone.”

“Seriously? What happened to you trusting me and cutting back the jealous bullshit?” I ask as I snatch my phone.

I know, I know, I’m being hypocritical. That’s not the point, though.

“I’m sorry!” she defends. “Your phone buzzed and so I just glanced at who it was, and what do you know, it was Skyla. Per usual,” she says with a roll of her eyes.

“Oh my god, Maryia. You have to quit the jealous bullshit with Sky. She’s my best friend! She’s straight. End of discussion.”

“Well, I can’t trust you!” she snaps.

“Why?” I throw back, instantly on edge.

She frowns. “Because if I do, then I could get hurt,” she says as she throws her purse over her shoulder.

I blink, more than a little flabbergasted. “So, you tell me all about how you’re going to trust me, when you don’t. Then the instant I turn my back, you snoop through my phone, I call you out, and you’re the one to storm out? Is that what’s going on here?”

“Guess so!” she says as she opens the door and slams it shut.