Jesus Christ, today is just going to be all about snot and tears. “Jenna,” I stammer.
She waves her hand like she’s swatting away a gnat. “No need to get sappy.”
Snorting, I shake my head. “Sorry, I won’t do it again.”
We remain quiet as I work through my bags. When the last pair of panties is safely in my chest of drawers, we head outside and settle by the pool. Mom waves at us through the window, miming the action for drink. We give her two thumbs-up.
“Oh, it’s good to be back.” I sigh.
“I concur, I’ve missed your pool,” Jenna retorts.
“Brat.” I laugh. “So, what’s on your agenda for summer?”
Instead of a reply, I’m met with silence. Turning my head from the sun, I face Jenna, who is rubbing the back of her head. My heart twinges. It’s another thing she’s inherited from her sister.
“Jenna?”
She huffs and swings her legs until she’s sitting up facing me. “Okay, we need to talk about the elephant in the room.”
Mimicking her, I sit up. If we’re going to do this I need to be prepared, and lying down feels too vulnerable. My blood pressure surges because I know where this is going. “O-okay. What’s up?”
“Eden is here. She moved back to town a few months ago. She’s sharing an apartment with Bella. Becca is practically living with them too.”
The air feels like it’s been sucked from my lungs. Not only is Eden close by, but so is Becca. I really messed up with her, too.
“Sloane, are you going to say something?”
I try to organize my racing thoughts. Closing my eyes, I take measured breaths and center myself. It took me a while to master the technique, but now I find it an effective way to stop myself from spiraling into an anxiety attack.
Blowing out a steady flow through my mouth, I open my eyes, feeling my heart rate lower. “We’ve never talked about it.”
Jenna shares a small smile. “I wanted to stay as neutral as possible. You’re my best friend, and Eden’s my sister. It’s not an easy situation.”
“Why aren’t you angry at me, Jenna? I broke her heart. You should be pissed, not being a friend.”
Leaning forward, she takes my hand. “Sloane, I know you two are made for each other. I’ve known it since high school.”
“We haven’t been together for two years,” I point out.
“And neither of you have moved on.”
Swallowing, I tamp down the spark of hope trying to reignite in my chest. I’d give anything to take back what I did two years ago. If I thought for a moment Eden would forgive me and take me back, I’d do anything.
“Eden…Eden has tried,” Jenna begins. “She’s dated on and off over the last year or so.”
I hate thinking of another woman touching Eden, but I have no grounds to be jealous…not after what I did.
“Have you dated?” she asks.
“No.”
Jenna twitches her lips as she summons the courage to ask me whatever it is she wants to ask.
“Did you cheat on her with Alex?”
I rear back. “No! Of course not. Shit, is that what she thinks?”
Shrugging, Jenna jiggles my hand. “I think it crossed her mind after you stopped messaging. Alex was the first person Eden ever felt jealous of.”
