“I could have saved you a trip.”

“It’s really over then? There’s no chance we could try again?”

My aversion to conflict rears its head, and I squirm as I realize I have to break up with this great girl in front of me. Because of course Amelia is great, she’s just not the one for me. If closure is what she came here for, then I can give her that at least.

“You’re amazing, Amelia. I had a lot of fun with you, but you were right. I didn’t even realize how right you were. You knew I was in love with Sydney before I did.” I offer her a sheepish grin.

“I didn’t want to believe it. I know I said it, but I hoped I was wrong, and you’d call. Maybe I didn’t want to admit she was better for you than me.”

“How do you mean?”

“You’re different with her. You smile and laugh a lot more. I hoped it was just friendship, but I guess I always knew. You have all these inside jokes, and you’re always competing over silly things. She gets you in a way no one else does. It’s the reason I could never hate her even when I really wanted to. You two are perfect together.” She lets out an audible sigh and looks up to the sky as the rain starts back up. “I should go.”

“I’m really sorry.” It doesn’t escape me that I’m apologizing for something I couldn’t control, nor would I have even if I’d known, but I am sorry that it hurt Amelia in the process.

We stand and I hug her goodbye and then walk her back into the house and to the front door. The living room and kitchen are mysteriously vacant. I figured my sister would have her ear to the door. I still can’t believe she called Amelia. Tara’s never been shy about voicing her opinions, but she’s never done anything like this before.

The light in her room is on. She looks up from where she lies on her stomach on top of the bed. “Hey.”

“Hey?” I arch a brow and lean against the doorframe. Corinne sits on the floor folding clothes but avoids eye contact. “What the hell was that?”

“Look, Tanner, I love you, but you keep missing what’s right in front of you.”

My thoughts go to Sydney, but I don’t think that’s what she means.

“You’re going to have to break it down for me then because the only thing I can see is how fucked-up it is that you invited my ex-girlfriend down to the same house my current girlfriend is staying.” I glance back out into the living room. “Where is Sydney anyway?”

“She left.”