“Yes.” I nod. “It took us how long to get here? I just…can’t we start over?”
“Start over? Where, fourth grade? Trust me if you were any other guy in the world, I wouldn’t even be giving you a second thought. Our history is the only thing in your favor right now.”
“Well, that should mean something, right? You know me, you know this isn’t me. I don’t cheat…” I pause because I have cheated on more than one occasion and on different girls. “I would never cheat on you.”
“You did.” Fuck. “Maybe you didn’t fuck her, but something happened in that bed and it’s not fair for you to think I should just get over it like that.” She snaps. “Just because you were drunk and don’t remember. I have to hold you accountable for your actions, Everett.”
This is it.
This is the end of eleven years of friendship. I ruined eleven years in one stupid drunken night I have no recollection of.
“Leigh…”
“I’m not saying this is the end. I just asked for space and you bulldozed over me and touched me and kissed me and brought me home and…I need to think.”
My palms begin to sweat, and my throat feels drier than a summer day in Phoenix. “Think about what? Me? What’s there to think about? If you can forgive me?”
“I’ve forgiven you, Everett. It’s not about that.” She shakes her head and holds her wrist up to reveal her half of our tattoo. “This means I’ll always forgive you.” I’m off the bed and moving across the room towards her but she puts her hands up which stops me in my tracks. “But that doesn’t mean I think we should be together. It doesn’t mean that I trust you enough to give you my heart.”
“Leigh, I’ve had your heart, for longer than we both realize.”
She swallows and twists her lips into a frown that makes me feel like my world is crashing down around me. “It kinda feels like you gave it back.”