I blink up at him. “Do what?”
“Get rid of him.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You can’t possibly think this relationship should continue. He’s not even sleeping with you.” He gestures to my cloud-like yellow bed. The king-size bed has a cotton comforter and fluffy, rumpled down pillows strewn all over it with cream-colored muslin blankets draped over the corner.
I fold my arms over my stomach. “Why do you care?”
He shakes his head, looking down at the floor and rubbing his eyes in frustration. “Let me just explain something to you right now as a straight, red-blooded male. The fact that your boyfriend hasn’t slept in your bed in over eight months is a massive red flag, but that, combined with the fact that he’s here and totally okay with your friend sharing your bed instead of him? That’s worse than a red flag; it’s disastrous. And I’m not a gambler, but I’d bet money he’s either gay or he’s cheating on you.”
“Maybe our relationship is about more thansex.” I lift my chin stubbornly.
Obviously, I agree with him, and I am deeply hurt by the situation. But I’d rather sit here and argue with him all day than admit it.
His chest rises and falls with a steady exhale. “Have you ever had sex with him?”
“That question is incredibly invasive, but, yes, of course I have.”
How dare he ask me that?!
His jaw flexes. “And you think it’s normal for him to not want more?” His eyes darken but remain on my face.
“Who says he doesn’t want more of me?”
My hackles rise at his words. I despise his ability to pick me apart and practically point his finger at my deepest insecurities so casually and to look so damn sexy while doing it.
He chuckles, shaking his head in disbelief. “Tell yourself whatever you need to, Cupcake, but this relationship is dead, and that man doesn’t want you.” He emphasizes the last part, twisting the knife already embedded in my gut.
My chest prickles with heat. I clamp my jaw shut, looking up at him with fire in my eyes.
“I don’t need your advice on my relationship. What was it you said about not having time for a girlfriend? You don’t have even a remote idea of how this works!” I raise my voice, almost yelling at him. “People go through things. People get sad. People date the wrong person sometimes, but love is about sticking it out through the hard times, when everything isn’t sunshine and rainbows! So, why don’t you shut up and leave me alone!”
His expression hasn’t changed since I started ranting. He still looks judgmental and annoyed. I spin around on my heel, storming out of the studio and marching down to the beach. Sav and Axel are down there, waiting for me, already digging into their food.
“Can I talk to you, Axel?” I choke out. The tears are threatening to spill down my cheeks, but I force them back.
“Sure,” he mumbles, rising from his crouched position in the sand.
I start walking down the beach, my heart pounding.He sidles up next to me, still eating his burger. Grease drips down his hand. My stomach rumbles, but I must have left my food in the car.
“I think it’s time we talked,” I say after we walk side by side in silence for a few minutes, letting the waves wash over my frayed nerves and calming them slightly.
I hate how good we get along. It’s easy with him. It’s calm and comfortable, but, boy, is it boring. He waits for me to speak again.
“Do you think this relationship has what it takes to keep going?”
“Uh, maybe. I mean, I don’t know? You seem like you want your space right now.”
I turn to stare at him. He’s looking out over the water, blue eyes squinting in the sun.
“You think I’m being distant?”
He shrugs. “You moved here pretty much out of the blue. You’re getting back to the old you, sort of. I get it; you went through a tragedy, so it’s fine. I just thought you needed time to move on before being the fun Summer I had fallen for again.”
“But do you think we should be together? Do you miss me when I’m gone?” I press.
“Yeah, I miss you. I miss hanging out with you, for sure.”
