I glance over my shoulder one more time and say, “I’ll wait, Myla. I’ll wait for as long as you need it. We’re not over. I’m not giving up on you, baby. Never will.” And then I walk out of her bedroom and down the stairs to the living room where Nichole is sitting, feet up on the coffee table.

I think about just slipping by her, but then, the anger that’s been simmering comes to the surface, and I spin around and say, “What the fuck did you talk to her about?”

“That’s none of your concern,” she answers, her attention returning to her phone.

“It is my goddamn business when she decides to break up with me. So what did you talk to her about?”

Nichole sets her phone on her lap and glances up at me. “Just trying to help her see what’s right and wrong in her life.”

“Yeah, and who gave you the authority to do that?”

Pointing at her chest, she says, “I’m her best friend. I’ve known her longer than you, and I’ve seen the damage her mother has done. So that gives me the authority.”

“Yeah, and weren’t you just saying the other day how she was the happiest she’s ever been? Do you know why?” I tap my chin sarcastically. “Hmm, I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with me?”

“Don’t give yourself that much credit.”

“You’re kidding, right? She’s told me I make her happy. She’s told me that she loves me. That she wants to be with me, so what the hell changed between when I left and when I came back? What have you been saying to her?”

“Just what she’s been thinking—that you weren’t there for her when she needed you the most.”

“I couldn’t fucking leave!” I shout. “For fuck’s sake, Nichole. I don’t have a regular job like everyone else. I can’t just decide when I want to show up and when I don’t want to show up. I don’t have vacation days that I can just use whenever the hell I want to. It doesn’t work like that. And she knew that. She knew my schedule was brutal, but I told her I would be there for her in other ways. And I was until she started pushing me away. And it looks like you didn’t help in that matter. It almost seems like you assisted in the pushing. Why?”

“She doesn’t need you, Ryot.”

I step back and stare at her, and that’s when all the pieces start coming together. “You . . . you mean, she doesn’t need you when I’m around. Am I right?”

She rolls her eyes. “Please, I’m not that petty.”

“You’re mad that she’s been spending more time with me, aren’t you? That she went to me for comfort.”

“Grow up, Ryot.” She picks up her phone again.

“Unbelievable,” I say while shaking my head. “You know what, Nichole? If you were her true friend, someone who actually cared about her, not about yourself, you would put her happiness first. And you know damn well her happiness is with me.” I move away from the living room and grow closer to the entryway. I spin around one more time and say, “I used to think you were on my side, that you wanted us to work out. I don’t know what has happened since, but it’s disappointing. You are disappointing.”