Until Forever by E. L. Todd Read Free Book Online Page B

talking to me, he didn’t like me either. I slid into the booth then leaned back, meeting his look. “Did you have a topic in mind?” I asked like a smartass.
    He didn’t react to the taunt. “I know you don’t like me, and normally, I wouldn’t give a shit. But Hazel means a lot to me, and for some reason, you mean a lot to her. I’d like it if we could get along.”
    I guess I should have seen that coming.
    “I treat her with nothing but love and respect. I’m there for her for everything. When she can’t pay her bills, I’m the guy writing her a check. When she can’t afford groceries, I put food on the table. When she has a shitty day at work, I’m the guy she vents to. And I’m the guy she sleeps with at night. I’m her rock, her everything. You have no reason to dislike me as much as you do. So tell me what your problem is.”
    I didn’t have a response to that. Honestly, I didn’t have much of a reason to dislike him.
    “Everyone seems to like me just fine but you. So what’s your deal?”
    “Hazel means a lot to me. I don’t want her to get hurt.”
    “She’s risking that no matter what she does. But with me, the risk is minimal. When we met, she tol d me she’d been burned. If I were just there for kicks, I would have turned my back on her that night. But I didn’t. Because I love her.”
    This guy was a smooth talker.
    “Honestly, I think that has nothing to do with it.”
    That got my attention.
    “You’re in love with her. I can tell.”
    “No, I’m not,” I said firmly. I eyed the people in the restaurant, hoping we weren’t overheard.
    “Look at me and tell me that,” he commanded.
    “I have a girlfriend.”
    “And that’s relevant because…?”
    “I’m not a cheater,” I said firmly.
    “I’m not asking if you cheated on her. I’m asking if you’re in love with Hazel. Why don’t you just answer the damn question?”
    I looked him straight in the eye. “I’m. Not. In. Love. With. Her.”
    He was quiet for a long time. His scorpion tattoo was in my peripheral. “Then you better have a solid explanation for your behavior. Because if you are telling the truth, then I think you’re in denial about it.”
    “I’m not.”
    “Then why do you hate me so much?”
    I rested my elbows on the table then gripped my skull. I didn’t realize how much I was lashing out at other people. I was either pushing them awa y or tearing them down. I didn’t know what the hell was wrong with me. “Okay. I’m going through a very difficult time with my girlfriend right now. And, I think I’m just taking out my anger and frustration on everyone around me. Hazel went through a really hard time, and now I’m going through it. I guess I just don’t want to see the same thing happen to her.”
    He eyed me for a long time. “So, Monnique left you and broke your heart, and now you’re back together but it’s still not working?”
    “Keep that knowledge to yourself.”
    “You know what I think?”
    This should be interesting.
    “I think Hazel was screwed over then she found me, getting her happily ever after. When you were broken up with Monni que, Hazel threw herself at you and you rejected her. You went back to your girlfriend instead of making the right choice. And now you hate seeing her happy with me because you know it should have been you.”
    I stared at the table, noting the scratches in the surface. People shuffled around us and the cash register ran g every time a purchase was made.
    “This is how I see things,” Flynn said. “Hazel sees you as a best friend. She really cares about you and she’s blind to all of this. So, I’m not going to mention any of this to her. The last thing I want to do is ruin a friendship and break up your group. I honestly want you and I to get along. Since Hazel has absolutely no feelings for you, only wants me every night, I don’t give a shit how you feel about her. But we need to make some sort of compromise here.”
    I drummed my