Page 48 of Only Ever You

Because I like her. Because I have for years, and I can’t turn it off.

“You and Cade hate each other,” Sienna goes on. “And she’s dating him. Is it really that weird that she doesn’t talk to you?”

I blink hard, my mind clouding. “They’re not dating.”

“They are.” She takes another step, stopping when her face is only inches from mine. “Think about it. She never comes to school events, but tonight, she’s here. With him. Of course they’re dating.”

“That doesn’t make sense,” I rasp.

“Maybe not to you.” Her voice softens, turns syrupy. “But to me? It’s obvious. Though, if I had the choice, I would’ve chosen you.” She rises onto her toes, resting her hand on the back of my neck.

“Sienna…” It comes out like a warning. My hands stay glued to the wall; I don’t trust myself to stay upright if I move. That’s why I don’t push her away.

My head is so jumbled, I can barely formulate words. She’s lying about Isla and Turner. She’s twisting things. But the images in my head won’t go away—Turner’s hand on Isla’s lower back. Her soft smile. The coldness in her tone when she told me she’d talk to me when I’m sober. The way she looked right through me.

Fuck, it hurts.

It shouldn’t. People grow apart. Best friends drift away from each other. It happens. So why does my chest feel like it’s collapsing? Why does it feel like losing her is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me?

“Michael, please,” Sienna whispers. Her caramel perfume wraps around me, cloying and sickly sweet. “Just…let me take care of you.”

She looks at me like I’m the only thing she wants, but the part of me that still hopes Isla might care is screaming to push her away. My stomach hardens. My pulse throbs violently.

I don’t want this.

I don’t want her.

But when Sienna slides her hand deeper into my hair, pulling me down, I’m too drunk, too dizzy, too gutted to stop her. So, I let her kiss me. I don’t kiss her back. I don’t touch her. I just…let it happen.

Because Isla is with Turner. Because as much as I want her, she doesn’t care.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

you don’t need to see this

ISLA

Fifteen years old

I can’t focus on anything Cade and Asher are saying. My mind is too preoccupied, replaying my interaction with Michael, questioning every part of it. How weird and painful it was. What he’d want to talk to me about. How wasted he was. I’ve seen him drunk once or twice, but that was nothing compared to how he looked tonight. Asher might not be sober, but he’s nowhere near as out of it as Michael.

Bottom lip caught between my teeth, I glance at the door. I don’t want to talk to him when he’s in that state, but I need to know he’s okay. He’s my best friend, for Christ’s sake. We may not be seeing eye to eye lately, but all these years of friendship are important to me. He’s my person no matter what. This rift between us kills me a little more every day, and our conversation a couple of minutes ago has only made it worse.

I touch Cade’s arm to get his attention.

He pauses midsentence, both he and Ash turning to look at me.

“I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be quick.”

Cade ducks his head, focus locked on mine. “I can go with you.”

My cheeks heat as warmth spreads through my veins. “No. Stay here. Have fun.” I give him a quick smile and then glance at Ash. “I won’t be long.”

“Okay.”

I wave at Ash. “If you’re not here when I get back, it was good to see you.”

My usually jovial friend looks more serious than I think I’ve ever seen him. “You too.”