“Of course I love her.”
“Then why are you acting like it’s over? Like there’s nothing you can do?”
He snapped. “Because what if I make it worse? What if I push her further away?”
“So instead you’re just giving up? Sitting here hoping she’ll magically realize you didn’t mean to hurt her?”
“What am I supposed to do, Ava?”
“Fight for her!” I couldn’t keep my voice down, even if I tried. How was he this dense? “Prove to her that what you had was real instead of just sitting here wallowing in guilt.”
“She doesn’t want to see me.”
“How do you know? Have you tried?”
“Liam said?—”
“I don’t give a shit what Liam said!” I stood up, pacing to the window. “Liam’s never been in love the way you’re in love with Harper. He’s never been in love a day in his life and wouldn’t know what it looked like if it hit him across the face with a hockey stick. He doesn’t understand what’s at stake here.” My heart felt like it splintered in my chest as I spoke the words because I knew with absolute certainty they were true.
And I hated it. IwishedLiam was in love with me the way my brother loved Harper.
“I hurt her enough already. I don’t want to make it worse. If she needs space?—”
“What Harper needs,” I interrupted, whirling back to face him, “is for you to prove that your love was real. She needs you to fight for her like she’s worth fighting for. Instead, you’re giving her exactly what she expects from you—nothing.”
That was probably too harsh, and based on the stricken look on his face, I’d made my point. I walked back and sat beside him.
“Stop following the advice of a guy who’s never had to risk his heart for love. Liam doesn’t know what Harperneeds. Really think about it from her perspective, Drew. She discovers that there was a bet about her. She confronts you, and what happens? You give some explanation that probably sounded weak even to you, and then when she leaves…silence. Complete silence. No calls, no texts, no showing up at her door. Nothing.”
He ran a shaky hand through his hair. “I was trying to give her time to process.”
“I know that’s how you see it, but all you were doing was confirming every fear she’s ever had about you.” I tried to keep my voice gentle, but still make sure he heard me. “You need to get your ass off this couch and start fighting for her.”
“What if it’s too late?” he asked, panic clear as day on his face.
“It’s only too late if you decide it is. But Drew, if you’re going to fight for her, you have to really fight. Not halfhearted attempts that give you an easy out when they don’t work immediately. You have to be willing to put everything on the line for her.”
“So what do I do?” he asked.
I smiled for the first time since I’d arrived. “Now you’re asking the right question. You show her that your feelings were real. Don’t tell her—showher. Prove that your relationship was real, and that you’re willing to fight for what you built together.”
He nodded, his jaw setting with a determination I knew well. “At least I’ll know I tried. At least I’ll know I fought for her with everything I have.”
“Exactly.”
By gosh, I think he’s got it.
At least one of us might actually get a happy ending.
THIRTY-TWO
I hadn’t been sure at first, but I was certain now. Ava was avoiding me.
It had started when I came back to Meadowbrook after my week with Drew only to find out she’d gone to Dunridge to visit him. She’d made excuses for the past few days, but I was tired of missing her.
The distance was slowly driving me crazy, especially since we were in the same fucking town.
Which was why I decided to come to the dance studio when I knew for sure she’d be here. Her last class of the day was about to get out. I waited until the last student left and then got out of my truck.
