You First by CAITLIN MOSS

Author:CAITLIN MOSS [MOSS, CAITLIN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Caitlin Moss
Published: 2023-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

15

THURSDAY

Leo agreed to drive me over to my apartment first so I could change into more weather-appropriate attire for the ferry ride. I want to peel off my sweat-soaked blouse and jeans like I want to peel the conversation with Damien from my mind. I stare in a daze as the buttons on the elevator ding one floor at a time.

“Damien cheated on me,” I say without emotion. I’m not necessarily upset, but our entire relationship seems to be illegitimatized by this arduous fact. It’s unreal. I feel like I need to say it out loud a few times to know it’s true.

Leo turns his face toward me. “Is that new information?”

I look at him, surprised.

“He seems like a cheater,” he says, shrugging.

I scoff out a small laugh. “You really can’t stand him.”

“Nope.”

I sigh. “He has a baby,” I say more to the air of the elevator as I tilt my head back and close my eyes.

I can tell Leo is struck silent. A second passes, and then the elevator lurches, and I open my eyes. He pushed the emergency stop button.

“What are you doing, Leo?” I half-laugh as I speak.

“Say that again, I don’t think I heard you correctly,” he demands.

“Really? Stopping the elevator?” I chastise. “You’re the most dramatic person.”

He waits, jaw tight.

“He has a two-month-old son and based on how math and biology work, he was cheating on me well into our three-year relationship.” I tip my head against the wall of the elevator again, staring at the stainless-steel ceiling.

“Are you okay?” he asks, his voice soft and deep.

I let out a laugh. “Surprisingly, yes.”

He reaches for my hand and squeezes, making me smile.

“I mean six months ago I would have been devastated. But I guess now I just...” I meet Leo’s eyes and stop.

“Now what?” he asks.

“Now I just know there’s more for me out there,” I finish, then add, “but he’s still a total dick.”

Leo laughs, and I bite my lip watching his smile transform his face.

“I would love to punch him in the face,” he says, laughter still in his voice.

I smirk at him, appreciating the sentiment, but it’s also quite overboard. “Why do you hate him so much? I mean, besides this situation.”

“I have my reasons.” He steps toward me—his already close proximity being eaten up inch by inch. Jealousy and contempt fill his eyes.

“Care to elaborate?”

He swallows hard and looks away.

“Seriously? What did he have that you wanted?” I question, heart hammering.

A pause, and then, “You, Evie. He had you.”

The silence that follows screams at me. It claws at my heart until my emotions and mind are racing. Every word, every comeback, every sentiment comes to a halt on the tip of my tongue. I’m not speechless because there’s nothing to say. I’m speechless because there’s too much. Everything I need to tell him is pushing and shoving to the front of my mind and none of it is clear or coherent.

I lick my lips to buy time, contemplating whether or not to speak or kiss him.

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