My Only Exception (gxg)

Part 22

I wasn't going to go into too many specifics, but I looked at Emily, "We started hooking up in January. It all just kind of...escalated from there. I found myself being attracted to her, and she felt the same way. We acted upon it."

Emily's dark eyes widened, "January? It's been going on since fucking January?"

All I could do was nod and avoid Emily's penetrating gaze.

"How could you, Delilah? You're my best friend in the world and you go and start dating the girl that broke my heart?" Emily said to me, and by the way her voice was shaking, I could tell she was about to cry.

"Em, I've felt awful about this for months- "

"Apparently not awful enough to tell me!"

"I had no idea how to even go about telling you. I know that keeping it for this long just made it worse, but I also knew that I couldn't tell you when I started to feel attracted to Poppy."

"You've fallen under her spell. That's what she does, she makes you fall in love with her, and then she'll break your heart out of nowhere."

I narrowed my eyes at Emily, "This isn't about Poppy. This is about me and you. I'd prefer it if you didn't speak about her that way."

Emily gave an incredulous laugh, "You're actually defending her! Wow, that's rich."

"I mean, I'm going to defend my girlfriend. I know it's not at all what you want to hear right now, but our relationship is very genuine."

Emily glowered at me, "I want to be happy for you, but somehow, I just can't find it in me to be. I wonder why?"

"Alright, Em...I get it."

Realization then dawned on Emily's face, "The key necklace you have on...that's not from your grandmother. Poppy gave that to you, didn't she?"

Instinctively, I placed my hand on the key charm and nodded, "It's Poppy's necklace, yes."

For some reason, that sent Emily over the edge and a few tears escaped her eyes, "I can't even begin to explain how hurt I am right now. I never thought that of all people, you would lie to me and hurt me like this. For months, might I add."

All I could say was, "I know, and I am really fucking sorry."

Emily wiped her eyes, clearly extremely hurt by my actions.

"I wish you told me sooner," she said, "I really did. Somehow that seems less bad."

"I should have told you sooner," I said softly, "I completely understand why you're so mad."

Emily sat there for a moment, and stared ahead, shaking her head. A few more tears escaped from her eyes.

"Is our friendship over?" I asked her, not being able to make eye contact, "I really don't want it to be over, Em. I don't know what I'd do without you, if I'm being honest."

Emily looked me in the eyes and said, "End things with Poppy and I'll forget this happened. Things can be normal. But if you're with Poppy, we can't be friends."

I stared at Emily, "Seriously, I'd have to break up with Poppy for you to be friends with me still?"

"Delilah, you lied to me for months on end about dating someone that hurt me. If you want to still be best friends, you wouldn't date her anymore."

I sat there for a moment in silence.

I love Poppy.

But at the same time, I can't lose Emily.