“Fuck him.” She sniffs, wiping at her eyes. “I hate him. I hate him so much.”
“I know.” I rub her back. “I hate him, too.”
“I can’t believe he would do that.” She looks up at me with sad eyes. “If he wasn’t happy, why wouldn’t he just say something?”
“I don’t know. I’ve asked myself that before.” My heart breaks for her.
She leans her head against my chest while Taylor still holds her.
I look down at Taylor, and I’m surprised to see her face filled with anger.
“He’s a piece of shit. You deserve so much better than him. Someone who will make you their whole world. Put you first.”
“Thanks.” Aria laughs sadly. “I wish.”
They’ve only been together for a year, but that doesn’t matter. He’s a dirtbag for cheating on her. Aria is a great girl. Smart, funny, and kind. If I were into women, I’d have made her my girlfriend the moment we met.
“Maybe I’ll stay away from guys for a while,” Aria says. “Just enjoy my last year of college.”
“You don’t seem as upset as I’d thought you would be,” Easton says.
Aria shoots him a glare. “Of course I’m upset. My boyfriend just cheated on me.” She sighs heavily. “But maybe...” She chews on her lip. “Maybe I haven’t been feeling the relationship as much as I used to these past few weeks.”
Huh. That, I’m surprised to hear.
“You wanna go home?” Taylor asks her, brushing the hair from her face.
I can’t help but pay attention to the way Taylor is looking at Aria, the care she’s handling her with.
I knew the two of them were friends, I just didn’t think they were this close.
My eyes flick over to Easton, but he doesn’t seem to see what I’m seeing, or care.
“Yeah.” Aria nods. “I don’t wanna be here anymore."
“Let’s go home.”
Aria nods, and we all start toward the car.
Easton follows us, not saying anything.
“What were you doing that had you there just as I was about to kick his ass?” I ask, watching Aria and Taylor walk ahead of us, Taylor’s arm wrapped around Aria’s shoulder.
“Just went for a walk,” Easton mutters.
A walk. In the dark? Yeah, I don’t believe it. But I don’t press him on it.
“Are you staying?” Taylor asks when Easton hangs back from my car as Aria gets in the back.
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “I’m heading out in a few.”
“How are you getting home?” she asks.
He shrugs. “I’ll get a ride with one of the guys.”
“There’s no point.” Taylor says. “I mean, you two literally live together.”
“It’s fine, Tay,” Easton says.
