"To love you from afar. Until a few months ago, he was selfish. That selfishness led to his destruction, and he lost the best thing in his life. He's finally seeing that. So, I think he's telling you he loves you above anything else in his life, and he wants only for you to be happy. Even if that means it's not with him." Alek sighs and runs his hand through his hair, taking a seat at the foot of the bed. "He can't fight for you in the way you want, Charlie, until he fights for himself first. He needs to heal himself and understand why he did what he did before he can try to heal you two. So, to me, he is fighting for you in the only way he can right now. By seeking therapy, healing himself, and trying to make sure you're happy."
My brows furrow as I stare at him and nibble my lip. "I thought you didn't like him."
Alek shrugs and gives me a warm smile. "I don't, but despite his vile transgression, you love him. It's already hard enough for you, Lollie-girl. Why would I make it more difficult?"
I cup his cheek and lean down to brush a sweet kiss across his lips. "One day, Alek, you're going to make some lady really fucking lucky."
Something in his face changes, but when I open my mouth to ask him if he's okay, he warns me with a shake of his head.
Smiling, I kiss him again before climbing into bed. "Thank you, Alek."
"For what?" he asks, scooting up behind me and tossing his arm over my waist.
"Being my best friend."
"The feeling is mutual."
I'm staring out the window, listening to the silence of the room and the chaos in my mind when he speaks again.
"I know you said you're on the shot, but if something happens, I'm here. Okay? We're in this together. You won't be alone."
Squeezing the hand at my waist, I let the tears fall silently down my face. "I'll be okay. We're protected."
I lose track of time, staring out the window as thoughts batter my mind like a relentless storm.
When the room starts to feel too small, I slip from the bed, grab my phone, and retreat to the bathroom. I sink to the floor, leaning against the cool cabinets.
Tears splatter across my phone screen as I stare at Keaton’s name, my thumb hovering over his contact.
I remind myself there’s a reason we barely talk, but my patched-up heart aches for him anyway.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I unblock his number and press call.
One ring.
Two rings.
"Charlie?" he answers hoarsely.
His familiar voice yanks a sob from my chest.
"I hate you."
"I know, butterfly."
Silence settles over the line except for the sniffles that come from both of us.
"I had sex with Alek."
Something crashes on his end. "I know, butterfly."
"And I enjoyed it."
"I know that too. It's okay, Charlie."
"The condom broke," I tell him quietly.
The sad part is that I'm not even telling him these things to hurt him. I'm telling him because he's my person and I'm feeling weak right now.
