He gives me a solid pat on the back and nods ahead, and we start strolling. “Alright, tell me,” he says, nudging me. “What’s going on?”
“April came over last night.”
“April came over, did she?” He barely conceals his smirk. “Go on, then.”
I spend a few minutes recounting everything to Oliver, starting from the moment April walked in, right up to when she stormed out. “And then she said, ‘This was a mistake,’” I finish.
Oliver winces, sucking in a breath. “Ouch.”
“I need some advice. It’s fucking eating me alive.”
Oliver bites his cheek as he mulls over my words. I stay quiet, letting him think.
“Right,” he says after a beat. “Did you catch her on her phone or anything?”
“Nope.”
“Well, what about the sex? Did she give off any vibe that she wasn’t into it, or didn’t fancy staying over?”
“Mate, considering themultipleorgasms, I’d say she was pretty into it,” I reply, huffing in frustration. “She seemed happy staying over—curled up in my arms all night. Everything wasfine, great, in fact, until this morning. Then she just … freaked out and legged it.”
“I’m going to throw this out there, in case you haven’t thought of it,” he says, and I give him a nod to continue. “Lucas.”
“Yeah, I’ve considered that.” My jaw clenches as I try to rein in the anger that flares at the mention of his name.
“Do you reckon there’s a chance she bailedbecauseshe loved the sex and how it made her feel this morning?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
His question makes me pause; I hadn’t considered that.
“Like, she isn’t actually upset withme?” I ask.
“Exactly. I don’t think she’s upset with you, mate. You’ve not done anything wrong. My guess? She’s upset about the situation. I mean, the girl was engaged to your brother. She’s probably feeling a right mess—she was supposed to marry him, and now she’s in your bed.” He shrugs. “I reckon she’s feeling guilty.”
“Guilty,” I repeat, weighing his words.
“Yeah, but not because she feels bad for Lucas—he’s a wanker. She probably feels guilty because, after everything he put her through, maybe part of her thinks she shouldn’t be allowed to find happiness withyou.”
The ball drops.
I hadn’t even considered that possibility.
I’d been so wrapped up in thinking Lucas was the issue—wondering if maybe she still had feelings for him, or worse, that she might want him back after everything. But it never crossed my mind that she could be feeling guilty for finding happiness … withme.
It all makes sense now—the way she shut down this morning after asking me what last night meant.
It wasn’t about Lucas, not really—it was about her, about being caught between the pain he caused and the fear of letting herself move on with me. And honestly, I don’t give a fuck aboutwhat that sod thinks. Lucas made his choice, and he chose to lose her.
Suddenly, the weight eases off my chest.
Good. This is good.
I might still be in with a chance.
“Fuck. Do you think I should call her?”
Oliver pauses for a moment, thinking it through. “I wouldn’t push her. Not now—it’s all a bit fresh. Give her the day.”
“Okay.” I nod, trying to steady my thoughts. “I’ll give her some time … and then what?”
