“Because you’re my best friend, Jade,” he replied simply.
It was anything but simple.
“Well there’s no need for you to check up on me if your girlfriend doesn’t like it. I don’t want to be the source of anymore conflict between the two of you.”
Reid flinched at my clipped tone and his shoulders slumped in what I could only assume was defeat.
“I don’t care what she says,” he replied quietly. “If I want to check on you then I damn well can, and I will.”
“Is that why you’ve stayed away from me since you started dating her?” I shot back. I wanted to blame him for some of what had happened between us, even though I knew I had no right to.
Our gazes collided, my brown to his green, and I saw his eyes flash with a hint of anger.
“You’re just as guilty, Jade. You won’t even meet my eyes when we’re in the same room.”
“You’re right,” I swallowed. “You’ll have to forgive me for being unable to stomach the sight of you with someone else when it should be me.”
His face fell, matching my own sad expression. “You didn’t want us to be together, and I’m just trying to honor that.”
“By being with Stella.”
“By trying like hell to move on.”
That stung, but I refused to let him see it. I was only allowed to fall apart on the inside, never the outside. “Right.”
The silence, so thick, and cold, cloaked us, and as much as I wanted to hash it all out with him, I knew it was too late for our friendship. I’d done a bang up job of fucking it up by asking him to sleep with me when we were in Barcelona for my grandmothers’ funeral last November, and again when I miraculously fell into his bed again right before finals in December. He’d wanted us to step outside of our friendship, and make it more, but I couldn’t give it to him. I was too afraid of losing our friendship, and in the end I’d lost it anyway. Now he had someone else, and I had no one. But what hurt more than any of that was that I no longer had Reid.
“You’ve checked on me,” I said, looking away. “You can leave now, before Stella comes looking for you.”
I switched my bedside lamp off, and curled back under the covers, not caring that he was still there or sitting in the dark.
I wanted us to go back to the way things were.
I wanted my Reid back.
If only I weren’t too stubborn to tell him.
Chapter 2
Jade
Cabo
The hotel we were staying in was gorgeous, and swarming with college students on their Spring Break vacation. Our plane had landed a few hours ago, and we’d been checked in before deciding to roam around. The building itself looked incredible, and the resort boasted a stunning view of the horizon with crystal blue swimming pools, a private beach, and luxury suites. I’d opted for a two-bedroom suite, and was happy to find out that my friend Grady was sharing with me.
“I’m going down to the bar,” said Grady. “You want to join me?”
His sandy blond hair was perfectly styled to the side, and he was wearing jean shorts, cut off at the knee, and a white polo shirt with a light blue sweater draped over his shoulders. He was gorgeous - and very gay.
“That’s okay,” I replied. “I’m going to take a walk on the beach. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I want to put my feet in the water before nightfall.”
“Okay, my tootsie roll,” – he kissed my forehead – “See you at dinner?”
I smiled. “I’ll be there.”
He left, and as soon as the door clicked shut, I dropped onto the plush queen-sized bed and felt my body finally start to relax. I’d been tossing and turning all night after my talk with Reid, and hadn’t been able to let go of my restlessness until we’d arrived at our resort. I might’ve not been looking forward to spending my week with couples – gag – but I had to admit it felt nice to get away.
** ** ** ** **
“Where were you this afternoon?” Asked Kennedy. “When I went to your room earlier no one answered.” She was seated next to me at our round dinner table with Dane on her other side.
I sipped my water, and angled my body so that I could talk to her while I had the chance. Dane was deep in conversation with Reid, so I had a few minutes before he demanded Kennedy’s attention away from everyone else.
“I went to the beach, and then took a nap. I think something we ate on the plane made me sick.”
I’d been feeling nauseas all afternoon, and only felt slightly better after sleeping for an hour before we came to dinner. I must’ve looked like I was sulking for some reason, but I couldn’t be bothered with idle conversation. I had no idea what was going on with me. Maybe it was because all these couples surrounded me, or maybe it was seeing Reid with Stella. They were seated next to Dane, and from my peripheral I could make out that Stella was scowling at the side of Reid’s head while he was talking to Dane. Bitch hated being ignored – I knew that much – and made it clear to everyone that she preferred having Reid’s attention all to herself. I’d never been able to picture him with someone like her, although I suspected that had more to with being unable to picture him with anyone who wasn’t me.
“Did you take something for it?”
Kennedy brought me back from my mindless musings, and I patted her leg in reassurance. “Don’t worry about me. I’m sure whatever it is will pass by morning.”
The chair on my other side shifted, and I looked up to see Grady holding three very colorful cocktails. He took a seat, and passed one to Kennedy, before handing the second to me, and taking the third for himself.
“What are we drinking?” I asked, eyeing the multitude of colors swirling around in the tall, curvy glass.
Grady grinned, his eyes bright with mischief. “I had these made for us – that barman is so hot by the way – and have aptly named it the ‘Cabo Cock’.”
“How appropriate,” I snickered. Kennedy coughed, and wiped her mouth. “Considering the only two people at this table who aren’t getting any cock are you and me.”
“Oh baby girl, I got the barman’s digits,” he winked. “Looks like you’re the only one not getting any at this table.”
“Speaking of,” intercepted Kennedy. “Where are Ash, and Chase?”
She gave me a look that said her interruption was for my benefit, and I was silently grateful. I didn’t need a reminder that I was here as a ‘singular’.
“Ugh,” groaned Grady. “Probably upstairs fucking like horny little rabbits.”
My eyes bugged out and Kennedy spluttered, “What?!?!”
Grady covered his mouth, and muttered “Oops” behind his hand.
“I thought you guys knew,” he said, looking between Kennedy and me.
“NO!” I replied. “When did that happen?”
“Started up a few weeks ago.” Grady looked up, and his mouth tipped into a wicked smile. “And speak of the two little devils now.”
Kennedy and I swiveled our heads just as Chase and Ashley were walking towards our table. She was in front of him, but judging from their flushed faces, and disheveled appearances they were in fact upstairs...