That Girl is Mine - Part Two Read Online Free Page B

think she realized it would take time to build her strength back up, and it’s like she’s going into some sort of depression because of it. I feel like this is somehow my fault for bringing her here, but I don’t know how to help her.” He turns to me, worry in his eyes. I feel as though my guilt is written all over my face, and I have trouble looking at him. “You’ve spent time with her. Has she said anything to you about what’s going on in her head?”
    There’s this ball of pressure building in my chest as I listen to him speak about his relationship trouble, and I know that I’m the cause of a lot of it. I don’t know what to say to him. How can I counsel a man about his girl when I want to steal her from him? How can I sit here and act like a friend when really, I’m the devil in disguise – a wolf in sheep’s clothing. If you Googled ‘world’s shittiest friend’ right now, I feel sure my name would be the first one to appear in the results.
    I shake my head, clearing my throat just so I can breathe through the pressure on my chest. “She’ll come around, man. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I say to placate him, before I tip my beer back and drain the contents. Fuck, I’m an asshole.
    “I hope so. I just don’t know what to do to help her.”
    Twisting my now empty beer bottle around in my hands, I watch the last drops of amber, roll around the base of it. I should tell him what’s going on. I should just get it out in the open so we can deal with it. But, it will fuck everyone up, and we’ll probably all lose. Then we’d all be alone. I don’t want to be alone anymore…
    I lean forward and place the empty on the coffee table before I speak. “Just love her, man. I’m sure she doesn’t want to feel like this either. Just try to understand what she’s going through. That’s really all anyone can do.”
    ***

Avery
    The pain in my head is the first thing I feel when I regain consciousness the next morning, and I’m afraid to open my eyes and face the day. I don't remember much past dancing with Josh, and the way Dylan looked at me. Oh god, did he say he needs me?
    I cover my face with my hands and groan as I remember our conversation and how I burst into tears when Josh interrupted. Oh no, please tell me I didn’t do anything stupid. Please tell me I didn’t tell Josh about the kisses.
    Panic speeds up my heart and twists at my stomach, as I frantically try to remember everything I said. But, all I can remember is crying and saying I was sorry, and that was when we were still at the club. I don’t even remember coming back here.
    Removing my hands from my face, I push myself into a sitting position and realize there’s something by my feet. When I lift the covers, I see there’s an ice pack, now warm, sitting there, and I wonder if maybe I hurt my ankle in my drunken state last night. I roll it around, and it feels fine, so I risk sitting up further, swinging my feet off the bed so I’m sitting on the side.
    I groan again, my head emitting a dull thud and my mouth feeling like cotton wool. Glancing at the nightstand, I hope for a glass of water and find one with two Tylenol sitting next to it. I swallow the pills and drink down the water, running my hands through my hair, but I give up when they get caught in the tangles. Glancing at the clock, I sigh, seeing that it’s after ten and knowing that I’ve missed Josh by hours. I doubt Dylan is here either. I really need to talk to either of them, or both of them, or maybe I shouldn’t be talking to anyone at all… I just know that I feel messed up and last night I made a fool of myself. At the very least, I owe everyone an apology.
    Sighing again, I spot my purse sitting on top of the dresser with my folded dress from last night. Leaning forward to retrieve it, I pull out my cell and tap out a message to Josh, telling him how sorry I am for ruining his night off. I don’t expect a reply straight away, but I wait for a moment