Chapter Forty-five

Oliver

After Elsie called Everett out, things went much smoother. Even though it hurt to watch them together in the beginning, I started to see the pieces falling into place. It was kind of like watching a newborn horse take its first steps. They weren’t perfect, but I saw the potential; the potential is what felt like acid in my veins. I never saw that with us.

It was bittersweet for sure. I had wanted Elsie so badly, but I knew I never deserved her. I didn’t know if Everett did, but I saw the sparks that we never had.

We were sitting at a table under a pagoda, sipping lemonade, when I cleared my throat, bringing Everett and Elsie’s attention back to me instead of staring into each other's eyes like love-sick puppies. “The sun is starting to drop, an