I glared at the window and let out a breath. “I’m sorry for embarrassing you.”
“Oh, you didn’t. But I also didn’t want to leave in case one of you needed me. I know, I mettle. It’s what I do.”
“Sometimes we need that. I like you, Mackenzie.”
She smiled softly. “I like you, too, Elise. Now, go find Dillon. Figure it out and talk with him. I know people say that all the time like it’s easy, and I know it’s not, but you can do it. And, Elise? You’re allowed to have a life. You don’t need to focus on just classes, on only your major. Because you already are, and you’re doing it brilliantly. But you need time to decompress. And between Dillon and us, we can make that happen.”
I let out a breath and nodded. “I should go see him.”
“He’s probably on his way to the boys’ house now. Go.”
She helped me up and wiped my face. “And maybe add a little concealer.”
That made me laugh, and I held her close, wondering how I could rely on so many of my friends so quickly. Maybe I was overwhelmed, but it wasn’t their fault.
I needed to apologize to Dillon and ask why he’d had such pain in his eyes. I had a feeling it had nothing to do with me.
Chapter 15
Dillon
I flung the back door open as I stomped into the house, my hands shaking. Why was I so fucking angry? Elise was allowed to want her space. It wasn’t like I needed to be next to her at all times. But hell, why did I feel like she had punched me in the gut instead of just talking to me?
Pacey stood in the kitchen and frowned as I walked by. “What’s wrong, Connolly?”
“I do not understand women.” I practically snarled the words and did my best to calm down. I didn’t like being on edge, and yet I couldn’t seem to pull myself back from it.
Pacey blinked and took a moment to respond. “I was under the impression, at least according to your brothers, that you understood the complexity that is women. You’re the one who helped them in their relationships. It’s your thing.”
I was tired of that being thrown in my face. How young and naive I’d been when I thought I could help my brothers with the seemingly obvious. “I was wrong. Or maybe I just understand their women. I don’t get anyone that I’m supposed to be with. Not that I know I’m supposed to be with Elise because, according to her, that’s not the case.”
Pacey set down his coffee. “What happened with you two?” He paused. “Wait. When did this occur? I thought you were at the library. Did you stop at her house? Or call her?”
“Why do I feel like you know where all of us are at all times?” I asked, a little concerned.
Pacey waved a hand in the air. “I see all, and I know all. At least that’s what I want you to think.”
Sadly, not even Pacey’s humor could bring me back from the brink of insanity at the moment, so I answered his other question. “I left the library and figured I should stop by since I was close. We haven’t talked much, and…fuck it. I just wanted to see her face. But, apparently, that was too much.”
“What happened?”
I ran my hands over my hair. “I don’t know. One minute I was asking if she wanted to study or sit and talk, and the next, she said everything was too much, and she couldn’t deal with it. That she needed to focus on school and anything but me. I don’t know what the fuck I did wrong.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Pacey said, sighing. “At least, I don’t think you did.”
“That’s very comforting. Thank you,” I said dryly.
“I do my best. Now, do you know what this could be about? Because we both know Elise isn’t the type of person to end things with you in such a way as to hurt you.”
That Pacey knew that about her as well as I did, comforted me at the same time it cut because Elise had pushed me away. “I don’t know. School? Her family? I don’t fucking know. Because she’s not talking to me.”
Pacey’s gaze didn’t leave mine. “And did you tell her about what’s going on with you?”
I froze, unnerved. “I haven’t had the chance.”
“If you would’ve had the chance today, if she hadn’t been going through her own shit and hadn’t decided that she needed time or whatever the hell happened, would you be speaking to her right now about it?”
I swallowed hard. “I don’t know,” I whispered, and the idea that I wasn’t sure shamed me.
“It seems that she isn’t the only one who needs to talk about her issues. If she has issues to begin with.”
I scowled. “You’re not very helpful.”
“I’m immensely helpful. You just don’t want to hear what I’m saying. Because it’s difficult.”
“I hate you sometimes.” I set my bag down on the table behind me and sighed. “Not really. Shit. I don’t know what I’m doing, Pace.”
“Well, as I usually don’t know what I’m doing yet am excellent at faking it, come sit next to me and tell me all.”
“There’s nothing to tell. She needs space, and I’m going to give it to her. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“And why does she need space?”
“I don’t know,” I grumbled. “I guess everything’s too much? I have no idea. She’s not talking to me.”
“Okay, she’s not doing that, and you asking her isn’t getting it done. Give her the space she requested. The peace she needs. She’ll come to you when she’s ready.”
I shook my head, hope spurting and dwindling at the same time. “Will she?”
“You have to hope so. And while you’re waiting, you need to figure out what you want.”
“I guess that’s easier said than
