Unloved (The Unlucky Ones #2)

by Marley Valentine

Because people lie and people leave. People always leave. People always leave me.

I should’ve touched him. Not just today, but every day. I should’ve told him how I feel. I should’ve. I should’ve. I should’ve.

We’ve been best friends since our first day of college, and I think I was already in love with him on the second. It’s stupid and going absolutely nowhere, but I can’t shake it. I know he doesn’t feel the same, because he told me exactly that, but my heart feels safer being caught up in his unrequited love than ever giving it to someone else.

“I’m not ready, Sammy.” Without missing a beat, another text comes through. Then I’ll make him wait till you are.

On one hand, hope keeps you going, but on the other, nothing hurts more than the loss of it.

I want to kiss him. I want to cradle his face in my hands and finally press my lips to his. I want to finally tell him how I feel about him, without saying anything at all.

“I love that only you say my name that way,” I say into the speaker. “Like I’m yours.” I press send on the message, my body shaking with anxiety. I did not intend for any of this to happen, but I won’t take it back unless he wants me to. “Are you?” he asks. “Mine?” I speak my truth into the phone and send it. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

“I’ll love you when it’s desperate and dire. I’ll love you when it’s beautiful and boring. I’ll love you from this breath to the next, and for every breath after.”