Hugh
APRIL 19, 2004
THE MOMENTILOCKED EYES ON HER IN THE COURTYARD, EVERY HARD-EARNED SLIVERof my battered pride evaporated. As for my heart? It returned to her like a faithful boomerang. Because unlike my brain, it couldn’t be tricked into forgetting about her.
I had a million and one commitments after school today, but Liz’s unexpected return sent every single one of those clean out of my head.
Sitting opposite Liz at one of the picnic tables at school, I couldn’t stop my eyes from raking over her.
She had grown up so much in three and a half months. Her dark-blond hair was shorter than she used to have it, grazing her shoulders instead of the middle of her back. She was a lot thinner now—taller, too. All remnants of her cute childhood features had been replaced by stark feminine beauty.
But it was her eyes that socked me right in the chest.
Those big, pale-blue, lonesome eyes.
Jesus, they were like nothing I’d ever seen before or since.
“You look good,” I told her, because it was the truth. “You look healthy.”
“So do you,” Liz replied, hypnotizing me with those haunting irises. “You look so different.” I watched as her gaze raked over me. “You’re so tall now, and broad, andmanly.”
My face burned with heat. “That’s puberty for ya.”
“Listen,” Liz said then, and I braced myself for the conversation I knew had to happen. “About what happened—”
“Liz, you don’t have to do this,” I heard myself cut in, still trying to protect her. “I know you weren’t yourself at the time.”
“I do,” she replied, teary-eyed, as she clasped her hands together on the table in front of her. “I need to get this off my chest and I need you to let me.”
Fuck.
“All right.” Swallowing deeply, I forced a nod. “I’m listening.”
Liz drew in a deep, quivering breath before saying, “I’m truly sorry for the hell I’ve put you through. For repeatedly breaking your trust and ruining our relationship.” Tears continued to fill her eyes, but she blinked them away and kept going. “Coming off my meds was horribly selfish and unfair to you. You’ve always been there for me, supporting me through everything, and it was incredibly self-centered and unreasonable of me.” Another shiver rolled through her as she continued, “I’m really sorry for not taking accountability sooner, but knowing that I hurt you is the hardest pill I’ve ever had to swallow.”
“Liz.” My heart cracked clean open. “I don’t hold any of it against you.”
“Because you’re a selfless person,” she strangled out. “Because you’reyou.” The tears filling her eyes started to trickle down her cheeks. “I know what I did now. Not everything, but the parts I can remember make it clear that I have no right to ask you for a second chance.”
“Liz,” I strangled out, feeling my chest heave from pressure. “I would do anything to go back in time and change our ending. To stop it from happening. And if there was any way I could get past it, I would, but…”
“You can’t,” she confirmed tearfully, with a knowing nod. “It’s okay, Hugh. I understand.” Sniffling, she added, “That’s why I’m not going to ask.”
“Liz…”
“I know you need to stay away from me,” she breathed, body racking with tremors. “And I know why you can’t be my friend anymore, but I just want you to know that I am so grateful to have had you in my life.” A pained sob escaped her when she said, “I’ll never have a greater friend, Hugh Biggs, or a greater love.”
“Fuck.” I blew out a ragged breath as my heart thundered violently. “Liz.”
This was crippling me to the point where my heart was screaming at me to give in.
She’s back on her meds.
It’ll be better this time.
Give her one more chance.
But then the image of him between her legs flashed in my head, and I held firm.
