“You haven’t been answering my calls… or my texts. I even sent you a fucking email, Em.”
“I’ve been busy.” I rock on my heels.
Zeke takes in my room, and as he does, I realize how disgusting it is. I have weeks’ worth of takeout containers scattered around my room, about thirty-four water bottles, eight cups, and five empty tissue boxes, their remnants scattered around the room as well, and I don’t think I’ve changed since I left that party.
Or showered.
I stink.
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” He gives me a sly smile, and I realize I said the last part out loud.
I return to my bed and pull my legs to my chest.
“Seriously, Zeke, why are you here? I didn’t respond over text or call; why would you come here?”
“I’m worried about you. And I’m angry with you. I mean, really angry with you, Em.”
“Angry withme?!” My eyes widen. “For what? Falling for the same bullshit again?”
“For thinking we’re a part of it.”
“Hewas a part of it.”
“I don’t know what you know or think you know, fuck, I’m not even here for Declan. What I do know is whatever you heard, you ran with it.”
“He didn’t deny it.”
“I’m not talking about him; I’m talking about you, Ember. I’m talking about how you thought I’d do that to you. You cut all of us out, and deep down, you know that you don’t even know the whole story.”
“Look, Zeke, I don’t know if I even want to know what really happened freshman year. I don’t know if I even care anymore. What I do know is I’d like you to leave.”
“No.”
“No?” I question, but he doesn’t budge.
“Ember, I love you.” He says the words firmly, in a way I never heard before, and my eyebrows raise. “Now, before you get your panties in a twist, I don’t love you like that. But you’re one of the most important people in my life. And I’d choose you over Declan in a heartbeat.”
I can feel the tears pricking my eyes.
“I don’t care that I’ve known Declan practically my whole life. I’d choose you. Because there’s something special about you, Ember. Everything that’s ever been thrown at you hasn’t only made you stronger but kinder, and we all need a little bit of kindness in our lives. So, if I thought Declan had done something wrong if I believed he meant to hurt you, I’d never speak to him again.”
“But?”
“But I don’t think that’s the case.”
I blink the tears away, hoping he didn’t see them.
“He loves you,” he continues. “In a way, I’ve never seen that boy love.”
“He hurt me.”
“Maybe.” Zeke shrugs. “Or maybe, you still don’t know the whole story.”
“Zeke.” I shake my head.
Declan had a chance to tell me his sidetwice. Hell, he’s had our whole relationship to tell me, and he didn’t.
“Tanner was a douche.”
