Chapter 15

Months passed, and before I knew it, school was back in session. August again. Summer had come and gone, and it wasn’t perfect. Everything that happened between me, my friends, Isaac, Chase… it all still sat heavy in my chest.

I kept telling myself I’d wait for Chase to come around and tell me the truth. I wanted to end things — part of me really did — but another part wanted to give us a chance. To work things out. Even though it felt like I was getting shot in the heart without even knowing where the bullet came from.

After school, I hung out with Natalie. We were catching up on our summers when she suddenly asked, “How are you feeling?”

I hesitated. “Honestly… I’m still hurting inside. With unexplainable feelings I can’t even describe.”

She gave me that look — the one that was both gentle and brutally honest. “I bet. I’d rather we told you sooner than never because you’re fragile but naive. And I know you’re happy in your relationship, but it’s already starting to crumble apart slowly.”

My chest tightened. “Thanks. Don’t say that. I know I can make things work between us. It’s normal for every relationship to hit bumps in the road.”

“That’s true,” she said. “But what if it doesn’t go the way you want it to? Then what?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I’ll make it work between me and him. No matter what it takes to make it healthy.”

We talked for a little while longer, but my mind was already drifting.

Then my phone buzzed.

A text from Chase.

And the moment I saw the preview, my stomach dropped. It was the one conversation I’d been hoping to avoid for as long as possible.

Hey babe, remember when I asked what your thoughts are on an open relationship? I know you don’t want to, but maybe give it a chance perhaps?

My heart sank.

I typed back:

I honestly don’t want to because I want our relationship to stay closed but… fine. I’ll give it a chance if it’ll make you happy.

He replied fast:

Really? If you don’t want to, then we don’t need to.

I stared at the screen, feeling my frustration rise.

You sounded desperate for wanting it, which I don’t know why.

I’m not desperate, He wrote. Let’s give it a try then, yeah?

I hesitated. My fingers hovered over the keyboard. I didn’t want this. I didn’t believe in this. But I also didn’t want to lose him.

Fine. I’ll give it a try. But if I want to end it, then I’m ending the open relationship. Non‑monogamy gets messy and never goes right.

True, he said. But we’ll see how it goes then.

I swallowed hard.

I know you’re loyal. I trust you enough not to do anything stupid. Rules need to be set in place if we’re doing this. No sex. Communicate with each other before doing anything. Etc.

Sounds good to me, babe.

I rolled my eyes.

mhm okay…

A moment later, he sent:

I love you.

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t.

I put my phone down and went on with the rest of my day, pretending everything was fine when it absolutely wasn’t.