Even through our jeans, I can feel the warmth radiating off him. Goosebumps rise on my arms from his nearness, his cologne catching on the breeze and wrapping around me. It’s a little different from his usual smoky-sweet scent, with a new citrusy note layered in. It’s intoxicating.
My eyes catch on his pink tongue as he licks his ice cream. Just like that day on my front porch, it sends a jolt straight to my dick.
Yeah… time to go.
I’m just about to tell Hadley I’m ready to leave when Katie and Maggie stroll up to the ice cream shop. Hadley springs to her feet, grabbing Ella’s hand, and drags her over to her friends. After they chit-chat for a few minutes, Hadley saunters back to the table to grab her phone.
“Culley, I’m catching a ride with Maggie and Katie. I invited Ella, but she said she needs to get home.”
Well, so much for breaking up with Hadley tonight. I grind my teeth, irritated that I can’t get the timing right to end things.
“Where are you going?” I ask, only caring because Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum aren’t the most reliable friends.
She doesn’t even bother looking at me. “Policing where I go now, Cullen?” Her voice is flat, but I can hear the bite behind it.
I exhale through my nose and shake my head. “Honestly? I don’t give a fuck what you do, Hadley.”
Her jaw drops, her cheeks flushing red. “What’s with the attitude tonight?” She turns fully, like she’s ready for a fight.
Looks like the right timing is now. I’ve been on edge all afternoon, and I’m done putting this off. Screw trying to be nice and do this privately.
Her girls flank her like bodyguards, ready to jump in, while Ella hangs back, looking unsure. I get up from the table and toss my forgotten ice cream in the trash. Hudson follows but stops in a neutral spot between us, not taking sides. At least, not yet.
“The attitude? It’s from years of being put on your back burner. From being gaslit, belittled, and physically assaulted by you.Twice.”
She scoffs and rolls her eyes, but she doesn’t deny it. Good, because I’m on a roll now and I’m not stopping.
“You’ve accused me of cheating, of not being a good enough boyfriend. You’ve put those two toxic bitches you call friends before me at every turn. News flash. They’re going to dump you the second a shinier queen bee shows up in college. There’s a reason neither of them wanted to room with you. You only think of yourself and have used me as a trophy boyfriend for far too long. But guess what. I’m done.We’redone.” I’m breathing hard by the time I finish my rant, but a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
The silence surrounding the group is deafening, and everyone’s faces are frozen in shock. Hadley’s face goes from angry to devastated as the realization sinks in. Her chin starts to quiver, and the first traces of tears start to form in her bright blue eyes. Hudson inches closer to his sister, but looks at me, unsure who to comfort.
I give him a small nod to go to Hadley.
He gives me a grateful look, then walks over to his twin, rubbing her back to comfort her.
“You’re breaking up with me?” Hadley asks through her tears, testing the words as if trying to make sense of them.
Of course, she didn’t think this would happen.
“Yeah. I am.”
“Is there someone else?”
I fight as hard as I can to keep my eyes from flicking to Hudson.
“No.”
Tears stream down her face as she steps up to me, inches separating us.
“I hate you,” she whispers, then turns and buries her face in Hudson’s chest. He wraps his strong arms around her as she quietly cries, whispering something soft I can’t hear.
My eyes meet Hud’s one more time, full of sadness for his sister, and maybe a little for me, too. I give him a tight smile, then walk across the parking lot back to my truck. I get in and sit for a minute, watching Hadley still clinging to Hudson.
My heart seizes, and my own tear slides down my cheek. I can’t breathe. It’s all too much.
I need to get out of here.
It hurts too much, watching my ex crumble in the arms of my best friend, who will never love me.
