Shattered Ties(61)

He seemed disappointed, but he only nodded. “That’s fine. Just text me when you get home.”

“I will.” I kissed him good night and drove home.



My mind was still reeling from my encounter with Ally when I parked my car inside the garage. Now, I understood why she had been so hostile toward me. She wanted Jesse for herself. I had to admit that it was kind of shocking. Didn’t Jesse just pull Andy off a guy because he was kissing Ally? Besides, Jesse had never mentioned anything romantic between them. I was sure that he wouldn’t be with me if there were anything going on. I could tell that he thought a lot of her, and he would never hurt her like that.

Maybe he doesn’t know, a voice whispered inside my head.

That had to be it. But should I tell him? What if he secretly feels the same way, and that’s all it takes to push him to her? I didn’t want to lose him. Then again, do I really have him if I’m worried that he’ll run to Ally?

By the time I made it up to my room, my head was throbbing. After a quick shower, I collapsed onto my bed. I tossed and turned, but sleep wouldn’t come. All I could think about was Ally and Jesse. I knew I had to tell him, but I just didn’t know how.





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The rest of the week flew by, and before I knew it, we were on our way to the airport. I’d never flown before, and I was nervous as f*ck. Emma found this little fact hilarious, but me, not so much. We were flying via private plane from LAX to London with one short stop in New York City to fuel the plane back up. Just thinking about it turned my stomach.

My passport had arrived at her house yesterday morning, cutting it way too close in my opinion. She hadn’t been concerned though. She said her dad’s contact had never failed them yet.

My mom had hugged me tightly this morning when Emma pulled up to drive us to the airport. We hadn’t discussed her move to West Virginia since that first day she’d brought it up, and I didn’t want to. I knew I couldn’t avoid it forever, but for now, that was exactly what I wanted to do.

After checking in and boarding the plane, Emma relaxed in her seat as I fidgeted nervously. She giggled as she watched my knuckles turn white when we taxied down the runway and took off. After a few minutes, the seatbelt light went off, and we were free to move around the cabin.

I had to admit that the setup was pretty kick-ass. There were no more than ten seats on the plane, but that was only so there was enough room for a full-size couch and television in the back. A stewardess told us to let her know if we needed anything. It was an eleven-hour flight total, and she informed us that they would serve us both lunch and dinner. I wasn’t sure that I would ever survive flying in a regular plane after the way I was treated on this one.

The stop in New York went off without a hitch, and we were quickly back in the air. Our lunch came soon after, and we ate in silence. Emma had been quiet since the night we went to the beach party, and I wasn’t sure why. I had asked on more than one occasion, but she always said she was just tired. I knew something was up. I just wasn’t sure how to get her to tell me what it was.

My mind drifted back to that night.

After Emma had suddenly wanted to go home by herself, I walked straight to Ally and Andy’s house. I sat on their porch and waited for Ally to come home, so I could let her have it for the way she’d treated Emma on the beach.

After nearly an hour, headlights appeared down the street. She didn’t see me until she was out of her car and walking to their house.

“We need to talk,” I said as I stood up.

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“I don’t appreciate what you did to Emma.”

She froze in mid-step. “What are you talking about?”

“The way you treated her on the beach in front of everyone. She never said anything, but I could tell that she was upset. You had no right to do that.”

To my surprise, her body relaxed, and she continued past me to her front door. “All I did was tell the truth.”

“That’s bullshit, and we both know it,” I said angrily as I placed my hand on her screen door, effectively blocking her from escaping.

“No, it’s not. It’s the truth. You’ve changed since you started hanging out with her.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“You have. You used to spend all your spare time with Andy or me. Now? If I see you twice a week, it’s a miracle.”

“Look, I know I’ve been a bit distracted lately, but it’s not because of Emma.”

“Bull. Shit. You’re blind when it comes to her, and you don’t even realize it.”

“Ally, I want you to leave her alone, and I mean it.”

“I’ve left her alone, except for when you bring her around me. As far as I’m concerned, when she’s on my turf, she’s fair game.”

“Why are you doing this to her? I thought you were my friend.” “I am your friend,” she spit out.

“Then, why can’t you respect me enough to trust me to decide who I want to be with?”

“You’re so much better than she is. I just don’t understand why you can’t see that. Is it because she has money? Or because she is kind of pretty? Or maybe because she has that whole damsel-in-distress thing going on? Help me understand your reasoning.”