Remy lets out a heavy sigh and folds his arms over his chest as if he’s been waiting for this exact issue to be brought up. “We were giving you the space you asked for.”
I snort so hard, I almost choke on it. “When did you three ever give me space when I asked for it?”
“When you left our circle in tears,” Felix pipes up. “I never once saw you cry before that night.” My eyes leap up to Grayson because he has. Even now, when I can see how angry he is at me, I would bet a hex he never told anyone. He kept my secret all this time. He tilts his head to the side as if to say,I’m not that big of an asshole.
I can’t hold his stare, because over the past two days, I kind of thought he was. Feeling guilty, and many other emotions I can’t put into words, I decide to give them the rest of my truth, even though it’s going to make me look like an immature jackass. “I was scared. I thought because I didn’t go through with it, you guys wouldn’t want to be with me anymore, and when I found out about Tiffany, I kind of freaked out.”
Felix grabs the back of his neck and uses it as an excuse to lower his eyes. He looks uncomfortable. It makes a pit form in the bottom of my stomach. All these years, I suspected something happened between them that day, but I never had my suspicions confirmed. I feel like they just were.
I glance at Remy and Grayson, but both of them remain quiet. I bite the corner of my lip, then put the rest on the table. “I left because I wanted to show you how mad I was and to…I don’t know, punish you, but in the back of my mind, I always thought you would come for me, but you never did.” I shrug, but it’s just my body’s reaction to saying words that still hurt to this day.
Remy reaches out lightning fast and smacks Grayson on the chest. Grayson’s response is immediate as he rubs his palm over the place his friend just walloped while he gives him a nasty glare. “I’ve got one for you too, dummy.” Remy narrows his eyes on Felix, who isn’t within striking distance.
My phone buzzes, and I look down. Now that the battery is charged enough to power on, I see a few missed calls. When I look up, Grayson is turning away.
“I’ve got something I need to do,” is all he says before quickly strolling from the room. I look at the two remaining men with questions clear in my gaze. I wasn’t expecting him to take off so abruptly. I didn’t think we were even remotely close to being done with the conversation.
“Should we get over to the library?” Felix stands up, ignoring the fact that Grayson left.
“Uh… If we’re done… I mean, sure.” I gather the papers and close my laptop before unplugging my phone from the charger to slide the USB into my computer, since the battery is strong enough to charge my phone for the moment. If that was all they needed from me to put this behind us, I should feel lucky, but that’s not the emotion I’m experiencing now.
“Don’t leave without us.” Remy jogs out the door. His comment makes me think he’s going after Grayson, but I’m a little too distracted with my own shit to give it much thought.
Chapter 15
Everyone was thinking it. I’m just the one who said it.
Felix and I make our way toward the front door. He opens a door I had assumed was a coat closet, but it’s much too large for that. He enters the space after flipping on a light switch and my eyes immediately search the room. There are jackets and coats all neatly hung, but I can’t tell from this distance if there are any women’s garments, so I drop my eyes to the floor to check the shoes. I skip over the sneakers and heavy boots, but the room darkens too quickly after Felix grabbed what he needed for me to have made a full pass. I’m certain I didn’t note any heels, but that doesn’t mean much.
When he closes the door, he gives me a tight smile. There’s an awkwardness between us I want to dispel, but I don’t really know how to at this point. How can I feel like I know him so well and feel like an interloper at the same time?
I rock on one heel, trying to think of something to say. “The house is beautiful.”
Felix looks around and pulls a face that means he disagrees with me. “It’s okay, but thanks.”
“Why do you say that? It’s more than okay, Felix.”
“It’s always felt like it was missing something,” he says softly, looking up at the high ceiling.
I clear my throat. “Where did you end up going to school?” I change the subject.
“Albion. All three of us were there for a couple years before Remy signed to the team.” Albion is a small private college a few towns over. It was never even on my radar. I didn’t know it was on theirs either.
“Frankie, there’s something I wanted to tell you.” I turn to face him. There’s a serious note in his tone I can’t ignore.
“Ready!” Remy’s heavy steps precede him as he meets us in the foyer. Felix’s shoulders dip a little, and he reaches for the door. He must have wanted privacy for whatever he was going to say, because Remy’s arrival seems to have quelled his desire to tell me.
I look down at my arm, confirming I have my jacket and bag, even though their weight is evident. My departure feels final this time, and I’m a little sad I won’t get to see the rest of the house or find out what Felix thinks it’s missing.
The heat and humidity hit me the second the door opens, but so does the familiar scent of the damp forest. A smile tugs at my mouth. I’m happy they chose this place, that it still means something to them.
“What’s that for?” Remy asks when he opens the front passenger side door. “The grin,” he clarifies when I give him a dubious glance.
I touch my fingers to my lips as my smile falters. “I didn’t realize I missed the smell of the country. I’m just glad you guys built out here.” What I don’t say is I wouldn’t want anyone else building out here. No matter what happens, this will always be our place. “Felix, I’ll take the back.” I move around Remy, but he puts his arm out, blocking me.
“Nope, he’s had you all to himself a few times already. Don’t think I didn’t notice the hand holding, Bishop.” Remy changes his voice to sound like an unapproving father.
I click my tongue, then turn and climb into the front seat. It’s not like I have much of an option, plus I don’t really want to talk about Felix’s silent comfort, even though I could use some right about now.
