But it was too late.
It had to be done.
***
Before I knew it, a whole week had passed.
A whole fucking week without Ari.
It was the worst seven days of my life, and to know that I’d probably never see her again killed me.
I knew it was my own fault—both of ours—but I couldn’t do anything to change it. She’d made her decision, and I had made mine.
I paddled out on the water, and not even of the prospect of excellent waves could cheer me up.
“Dude,” Ollie groaned, “you need to go talk to her. Talia says she’s as miserable and mopey as you.”
“You don’t know what happened,” I growled at him.
He rolled his eyes and tied his long hair back in a bun so it was out of his way. “Yeah, because neither one of you idiots will tell anyone why. If you’re both going to be so stupid, you might as well be miserable.”
“Thanks, Ollie. I feel the love,” I sneered, and he gave me the finger.
Jeremiah and Brady weren’t joining us. According to Ollie, they couldn’t take my moping anymore. I figured that was doubtful. They were more than likely working.
I paddled out farther and then sat up on my board.
The sky was clear, only a few white clouds could be seen, and the sun was blazing hot. It was the perfect kind of day for surfing, but my heart wasn’t in it. I needed the distraction, though, and Ollie had known that. I’d been avoiding the water since I got home. I rarely even left my house—only to go out and take photos. At least with photography I could tell a story, portray my heartache and pain in some sort of way that I couldn’t do with surfing.
Ollie grew quiet, which was strange since the guy was always talking, and I knew that probably didn’t bode well for me. He was more than likely about to deliver an epic speech on how I needed to get my shit together.
“You know, Liam,” he began and I let out a groan. Totally called it. “I was your friend when no one else was—”
“You made yourself my friend,” I interrupted.
“Logistics.” Ollie waved his hand in dismissal. “Anyway, I was your friend when no one else was. I’ve seen you treat people like shit because it was easier not to care. But when Ari came into your life—”
“When you forced her into my life,” I interrupted again.
He glared at me, and seeing Ollie mad was pretty comical. The guy looked like a disgruntled puppy that had his toy taken away.
“Shut up and let me talk,” he snapped.
I raised my hands innocently. “Okay, talk. I won’t say anything more.” I lowered my hands to the board, bobbing up and down with the motion of the waves.
“She makes you better, man, that’s all I’m trying to say. You’re kind of an insufferable asshole without her.”
I snorted.
“It’s true. Don’t shoot the messenger.” He raised his hands innocently.
“It’s over with me and her. Nothing can fix this. It’s not worth it.”
Ollie studied me for a moment, seeming to think very deeply about something. “When you love someone, that’s worth everything. Give it time, Liam.”
I shook my head. “Time won’t make this better.”
“You’re right,” he nodded, “it won’t. But in time, you’ll see that you were wrong to not try to work it out, but by then, it’ll be too late. Time waits for no one. We’re all slaves to it.”