Love Conquers All by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online

been through this pain, I understood exactly what he was feeling. And that made me empathetic. But I couldn’t be anything with him. “I wouldn’t like it if Flynn were friends with his ex. I respect him too much to do anything that would ever bother him.”
    “I understand,” he whispered. He looked around at my apartment, his eyes scanning. “I miss this place.”
    “Why?” I said. “It’s a shithole.”
    “Maybe to you,” he said sadly. “But it’s full of memories for me.”
    “I’m moving,” I blurted.
    He eyed the boxes against the wall. “I figured.”
    “I’m moving in with Flynn.” I wanted him to know how serious my relationship was.
    His shoulders slouched in sadness. “I guess I’m too late.”
    “No. I never would have taken you back, Kyle. I may have loved you and missed you, but I can’t forgive a cheater. But I sincerely hope you learned your lesson and treat your next girl better.”
    He nodded. “I’m definitely a different man because of this experience.”
    Judging his words and actions, he really did seem contrite about everything. As soon as he walked through that door, I knew he was different. He was less self-absorbed and more aware of other people. The experience left him humbled and weak. “How did you find out?”
    “She left a note with the ring. She said she was in love with someone else. That’s all she said.”
    “God, that’s cold.”
    “When I called her, she didn’t answer. We haven’t spoken since.”
    “How long has it been?”
    “A few weeks.” He took a deep breath like he was trying to stop himself from breaking apart.
    The pity increased. I didn’t want to see him again but that didn’t mean I couldn’t be a friend—in a way. “You want some tea?”
    His eyes widened slightly. “I would love some.”
    I made a pot on the stove while he sat down at my petite table. It was a desk more than anything else. I set the glasses down then sat across from him.
    “It’ll get easier,” I whispered. “I promise.”
    He sipped the tea and nodded. “I’ll hold onto that.”
    “Your parents know?”
    He nodded. “My mom always hated me for leaving you. She said this is what I deserve.”
    “I thought your mom didn’t care for me?”
    “She didn’t,” he said honestly. “But you were a million times better than Hannah.”
    “Oh.” That didn’t make me feel good. It didn’t make me feel anything.
    He stared at me across the table. “I really miss you. Hannah and I had a strong physical relationship, but there wasn’t a bond like you and I had. You used to make me laugh so easily.”
    “But that wasn’t important enough to make you stay.” I didn’t mean to be cold but I didn’t want him to bring up the good times of our relationship. We were never getting back together.
    “Well, I was a fucking idiot.” He finished his tea then sighed.
    I asked him about work and other things. His responses were lifeless and empty. He really hit rock bottom. I felt like I was looking at myself a year ago.
    “Excuse me,” I said.
    He nodded.
    I walked into the bathroom and did my business. I needed a moment to recover from the fact that Kyle was sitting in my apartment drinking tea. I never expected this moment to happen, and I got no happiness out of his despair. I guess I really was over the break up. I knew who was responsible for that.
    When I came out of the bathroom, the front door was open. Flynn stood in the doorway, his eyes wide while he stared at Kyle.
    Shit.
    Flynn’s eyes darted to me when I exited the bathroom. “What the fuck is he doing here? On a Friday night after ten?”
    This looked bad. Really bad.
    I rushed to him. “Flynn, it’s not how it looks.”
    “If I had my ex at my apartment late at night, I know that shit wouldn’t fly. You’d leave me quicker than I could say I’m sorry.” He glared at me, his face turning red.
    Damn, he was pissed.
    “It’s not how it looks,” I said quickly.
    Flynn eyed the cups of tea.