Prove It

Chapter 21

“Yeah, you said that.”

“Why are you being like this?”

“Are you really asking me why I'm mad? This is what happens when you betray people, Jessica. You cheated on me with my best friend. Did you think I would find out and everything would go back to the way it was?”

“So, we’re finally going to talk about it?”

“Spare me the details. I know everything I need to know. You don’t owe me anything. I’ve already forgiven you. Maybe you need to learn to forgive yourself.” 

Her face contorted. “You’ve forgiven me? You cheated on me first, you jerk!”

Tristan rolled his eyes. Leave it to Jessica to try to throw everything back on him. Did she even know what it meant to take responsibility?

“I never had sex with anyone else while we were together.”

“Cheating is not just about sex. It can be emotional, too. You couldn’t stay away from that girl for five seconds even when I told you our relationship depended on it. You were so distant, Tristan. I could feel you slipping right through my fingers.” Tristan started walking faster. He didn’t need to listen to this. Jessica continued to follow him. “When Sierra was around, you were different. I wasn’t going to just sit around and wait for you to hurt me. Chris was there so I used him. I hoped you would get her out of your system and then come back to me. I never meant for it to end like this.”

Tristan felt a pang at her words as the truth of them resonated within him. There’s no point denying what he felt for Sierra began while he was still with Jessica, but he wasn’t going to let her put this on him.

“I respected our relationship, which is what you should have done.”

“I tried to talk to you about what I was feeling. You made me seem insecure, but I was right, wasn’t I? Obviously, you’re with her now.”

“Jessica – ”

“I’m the one who messed things up and I’ve paid the price for that mistake but you just cut me out of your life. We used to be friends. Can’t we go back to that? I miss you, Tristan.”

Did she really expect him to be able to be friends with her after everything she put him through? He wasn’t that fucking forgiving.

“Are you joking? We can never be friends.”

“I understand why you say that, but please, just think about it.”

“My answer isn’t going to change.”

“All I ask is that you consider the possibility.”

It wasn’t an unreasonable request even though he already knew Jessica could never be a part of his life again.

“Fine, Jess. I’ll think about it,” he lied.

Jessica put her hand out. “Shake on it?”

He mirrored her movement but Jessica didn’t take his hand. Instead she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck and torso. She released him before he had the chance to pull her off.

“That was stupid,” Jessica admitted when she saw the look on his face. “I know you a lot better than you think. You were lying about thinking about us being friends. So I figured if this was going to be the last time I talked to you, I’d better steal a hug.” She gave a short humorless laugh. “Not exactly the most sound reasoning.”

She looked embarrassed. Tristan wasn’t even be upset. He thought it was sad. She didn’t wait for him to respond.

“Maybe I’ll see you around, Tristan.”