Intertwined

Chapter 29: I Told You Not To Wait For Me

J U L I E T

"Tina kissed me," he said and the fountain water drowned his miserable words out.

Tears pooled at his eyes and he moved his hands up slowly as though he was considering whether touching me was a good idea or not.

The hot and humid air of the parking lot suffocated me further.

It might have been a minute before I blinked.

He looked away, staring at the fountain. "She kissed me."

I take a step back as though it'd pull me out of the situation.

"I'm sorry," he starts, moving closer and holding my hand. The warmth and protection I once felt from it was gone.

I shake my head. "I can't be mad at you, I told you not to wait for me. You didn't."

I told him. I told him. I fucking told him.

There's hurt in his eyes. "I wouldn't do that to you, you know that. Please, I'm so sorry. She just-"

He stops, as though he doesn't want to continue. But I want him to.

"She what?" my voice was bitter and I hated it.

"We were just talking. I thanked her for throwing me a birthday party. She told me about some family issues and she was so sad. I told her it was gonna be okay and she just... It took me a second to register it."

"Did you pull away then?" I ask, looking directly into his eyes. Say yes, please.

His hold on my hand weakens. "I just felt bad for her, I swear, the second I thought of you, the very next second I pushed her away immediately. I swear."

I shake my head, moving away from him, pressing a palm to my forehead, wiping the traitorous tear that threatened to fall.

"I told you not to wait. It's okay, you deserve better," I assure him.

"What are you even saying? You tell me not to go on a self-destructive trail and look at what you're doing." His green eyes shine under the light.

"It's your birthday! What did I do? Gifted you an old home video you couldn't get a hold of and baked you a horrible cake," I point at the mansion behind him. "Look at what she can give you."

He's angry now. His eyes brim with maddening tears. "That's not what I want! She doesn't know me. No one knows me like you know me."

I keep walking away. "We were right to take a break, I have to go."

He wraps his fingers around my wrists, stopping me. "J-"

"Juliet, I got the car. Ready to go?" Chase walks up behind me.

Axel looks at Chase, stunned.

"You're leaving with... him?"

I only manage to nod.

"Is it not a good time?" Chase asks, looking at me, ignoring Axel's presence.

I pull my hand out of Axel's grip and walk towards Chase's car. "The best time."

And with that Chase and I drive away, leaving Axel right there.