“She’s my friend, too!” I argue. “She was there for me, Hanna. She was there for me when I didn’t even realize it. She was there for me when you were blowing me off for Jameson.”
“She’s been through a lot,” She swallows, “She’s fragile, Eric. Some fling isn’t what she needs.”
I run my hands down my face, “You think I don’t know that? I know everything. I know that she runs the same routes every day and sticks to a strict schedule because she’s never had anything constant. I know that she used to binge and throw up after nearly every meal. I know that Ashton stripped away every ounce of self-confidence she had. I know that she watchesBoy Meets Worldevery night because it’s her comfort show. Did you not hear what I said before, Hanna? It’s not some fling. At least not for me.”
She stands there in shock, unsure of what to even say.
Ellie’s voice fills the room and causes both of our heads to turn, “Mama?”
She’s standing up, holding out her empty bowl, I didn’t think she was within earshot, but it’s almost like she must’ve heard everything we said.
“I should go,” I mumble, my mouth clenching shut.
Ellie’s eyebrows tilt together, “Why? I thought you said you weren’t mad?”
Hanna bends down on her level, taking the bowl from her hand and setting it on the counter, “No one is angry, sweetie.”
“You sound mad,” She sasses.
She heard us arguing in the other room, and I’m not sure she’s ever heard Hanna and I argue before. Not once.
“You love Aunt Karly, mama, and you love Eric. So I don’t see why you can’t love them together.”
Hanna’s face turns pale, and mine turns scarlet red.
“I think it would be cool!” She continues, “Karly needs someone to do her laundry, and Eric loves doing laundry!”
I can’t help but giggle, which earns me a nice scowl from Hanna. I like Ellie’s reasoning, but Hanna’s expression doesn’t change. I don’t think it’s going to at this point. Not about this.
I finish off the last of the coffee in the cup and rinse it out in the sink, “I’m gonna get going. I’m glad you are feeling better, Ellie bear.”
She gives me a hug, glares at her mom, and stomps off to her room. My eyes travel behind her until she slams her bedroom door so hard that it echoes.
I start walking toward the door but hesitate and turn back, “I know you want an apology from me, but I’m not sorry. You chose Jameson. You chose him, and I’m going to choose her. I will always choose her.”
CHAPTER 29
KARLY
Karma.
This had to be the universe playing a horrible joke on me, right?
I couldn't help but think this was some kind of sick punishment for what I'd done. Sleep with my best friend's ex and get blackmailed on my own.
At nineteen, I would've given in to him easily, but I've come too far for setbacks. Ashton was like a nasty wound that would never close. I'd come so close to feeling okay, and he'd come right back to rip it open and make it bleed again.
The truth is, Eric healed me. The way he made me feel wasn't at all what I'd felt before. He was gentle, and I felt seen. When he looked into my eyes, he saw straight into my soul.
He made me feel so secure. The way he touched every inch of my body and tried to memorize it was so special. The way he looked at me like I was the only woman he'd ever look at again, even without makeup, made my heart flutter out of my chest.
He listened to everything I had to say and genuinely cared about the words that were coming out of my mouth. The conversations we had were some of the best I've ever had. I felt like I could tell him anything, even the ugly things. When I told him about my eating disorder, he didn't look at me with disgust. He loved all parts of me.
He healed me.
I couldn't go back now.
I wasn't quite sure how I was going to make all of this work, but I had to figure out a way. The meeting went well, and the Karly Dahl campaign will kick off in about three months. The collection is adorable. Snatched leggings, sports bras for bigger boobs, and adorable hoodies. Everything I envisioned for the line came to life. Too bad if people found out about my prior eating habits, they'd never support me. Ashton was right. No one knew how unhealthy I had to be to get to where I am now. They'd only see the horrible things they read on google, not how I had to fight every day to become a healthy version of myself.