Enzo and I weren't serious. It never got that far. I just thought I needed something different and it made me realize what I lost with you. I turned my head slowly. You sure you want to go with that version?
She froze. What? I leaned forward, calm and direct. Because I sat across from Enzo a few days ago. He told me everything.
That you slept with him days before you left. That you told him we were over. And that you were still texting me while lying in his bed. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. I, Griffin, I didn't think you'd actually talk to him.
No, you didn't think at all. You thought I'd believe whatever story you fed me, that I'd be sitting here, waiting, still hoping you'd come back. She looked like she wanted to cry. I didn't care. You played both of us.
She looked down, silent, as the weight of it landed. Whatever version of the story she had prepared was now useless. I didn't leave because I stopped loving you, she said. I just needed clarity. Clarity doesn't usually involve wine trips with another guy, I replied.
It wasn't like that. Rachel, you don't have to lie. You made your choice. She shifted forward, voice soft. I didn't know it would feel this empty without you.
I thought maybe I needed something different, but I didn't. I looked at her for a long time before asking the one question I'd been holding. If Enzo hadn't bailed, would you still be sitting here? She didn't answer, and that was all I needed. Look, Rachel, I'm not angry.
You don't owe me a speech, and I don't owe you a second chance." Her voice cracked a little. I know I screwed this up. I know I hurt you, but you have to believe me. I was confused.
I needed space to figure things out, and I made a mistake. I walked into the hallway, pulled out a small cardboard box from the closet, and set it down in front of her. I kept your stuff. Figured you'd ask for it eventually. She looked down at the box, then back up at me.
"So that's it?" "Yeah, that's it," I said. "You're not even going to hear me out?" she asked. "I did. And all I heard was a person trying to walk backward through a door they slammed shut."
Her eyes welled up. "I thought you'd understand." "I do. I understand perfectly. You thought I'd still be here."