“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
He says something else, but I miss it because my attention is drawn toward the couple kissing as they fall against the doorframe of the kitchen.
It’s Kyle and Macy. He wasted no time at all moving on. I mean, I knew they were together, but seeing this is like a shot to the gut. It makes me feel physically ill.
Tears start to fall unbidden as I stare at the man I once thought was my future and put himself so far in my past that I don’t know how I was ever stupid enough to look twice at him.
“Is there somewhere I can get air?” I ask Jason.
He looks up at me, a frown on his face.
“Are you okay? Want me to make him leave?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No. I just need air.”
He nods. “Back door is that way. No one is allowed in the backyard, so you should have space. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thanks, Jason.”
I leave him standing in the kitchen as I slip out of the kitchen and down the hall toward the back door.
As soon as the door closes behind me, I let out a sob.
I don’t even know why I am so upset. It’s obvious we were never meant to be.
Still, it hurts knowing that he could cast me aside so easily.
There’s one thing I know for sure.
Kyle is dead to me.
I am still leaning against the house trying to convince myself not to go back inside and pummel that asshole when I hear the door open.
No one is supposed to come out here, so I turn to tell them to go back inside.
I’m stopped in my tracks when I see who it is.
Lyla Wayne is standing outside, not ten feet away from me.
My heart is in my throat.
Then I hear it. The soft sobs. She’s crying. I hate knowing she is so hurt right now. I don’t have to ask her why she is crying. I already know. She saw that useless piece of shit inside with that knockoff version of her. She is heartbroken.
Moving to her side, I try not to startle her.
“What’s wrong?” I ask softly.
I wonder if she will tell me the truth. Will she tell me about the cheating son of a bitch inside?
She looks shocked when she looks at me. I get it. We have only talked a handful of times. It’s not that I didn’t want to hear her angelic voice. No, it’s because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from showing my true feelings for her.
Lyla has been the girl who haunts my dreams since I was a freshman. The one who got away, yet the one I never really had to begin with.
“Sorry. I know I’m not meant to be out here. I’ll leave,” she says, turning to leave.
My hand reaches out to grab her arm. She looks down at the contact.
“I’m not mad you are here. I want to know what has a beautiful girl like you crying in my backyard. Do I need to go deal with a problem inside?” I ask her.
