“I’ve been getting rid of stuff for a while.” The room was nearly bare, with only minimal furniture.
“The house has sold? I’m a bit shocked, Alicia.”
“Why? Did you think I’d stay here?”
“Yes.” Oliver glanced away, and I guessed he was hiding something.
“Oliver, just spit it out.”
“Alicia, I applied to the same college as you and got accepted,” he admitted.
I was halfway to sitting down but straightened. “What?”
“I messed up a year ago. Then I made shit even worse with how I behaved. I was being self-destructive and kept digging a hole. Alicia, I loved you so much and couldn’t handle how I let you down.”
“Seriously, you screwed girls to get over me? Wow, I really don’t know how to respond to that.”
“Alicia. All I wanted was you. Nobody else. It’s backwards, but every time I slept with them, it was a kick in the gut because they weren’t you. I started drinking, getting out of control and basically messing life up.” Oliver looked genuine, but how the hell was someone sincere when they’d been banging anything that moved?
“Yeah, not convinced here,” I said, finally sitting down. Oliver sat opposite and held my gaze.
“Ain’t nothing that’s going to erase what I did to you that day and afterwards. Won’t ever be able to wipe it from my memory either. But I can damn well ensure you’re safe at college.”
“Oliver, I don’t need protecting.”
Oliver shook his head. “You never understood how beautiful you were, Alicia. You definitely do need safeguarding. Those college boys will make a beeline for you.”
“And you’ll do what? Beat them off? Maybe I want to be chased. Can’t I act like a cheap whore too?” I demanded.
“No! Because that’s the one thing you’re not. You’re no Carmelle or Bryony.”
I curled my legs up. “Oliver, state what you want. I’m tired and hungry.”
“To be friends again.”
“Just that?”
“If you ever forgive me, then I’d hope for more, but right now I need to ensure you’re safe.”
“That’s not your responsibility, Oliver; you didn’t want the same college as me.”
He leaned forward and held my gaze. “No. I didn’t. But I applied because you shouldn’t be alone there.”
“You’re sacrificing what you wanted. Your friends aren’t attending that college.”
Oliver grinned. “Honey, I won’t know anyone there apart from you! And keeping you protected is no sacrifice.”
Damn him. That warmed my insides. “No hanky-panky, Oliver. Friends only!”
“Whatever you give me, I’ll accept. Now, let’s order some food.”
“Aren’t you going to the cookout?” I asked, surprised. It was the final big blowout. Oliver missing it wasn’t something I ever imagined.
“Nope. Where you go, I go.”
Blast, I needed to cement my walls in place.
Chapter Three.
