Chapter 10: The Breaking Point
858 Words
Dylan wasn’t the type to start fights.
But tonight, he was angry—angrier than he had been in a long time.
After leaving the bridge, he had walked around town aimlessly, trying to cool his head, but nothing helped. He couldn’t get the image of Lena and Evan out of his mind.
And now, here he was, standing outside Evan’s house, fists clenched at his sides.
He didn’t even know what he planned to do—he just knew he couldn’t walk away. Not this time.
Before he could second-guess himself, he knocked.
A few seconds later, the door swung open.
Evan blinked in surprise. “Dylan?”
Dylan didn’t waste time. “We need to talk.”
Evan hesitated, then stepped aside, letting him in.
The house was quiet—Evan’s parents were away for the weekend.
Perfect.
Evan shut the door and turned to face him. “What’s this about?”
Dylan’s jaw tightened. “Lena.”
Evan exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. Figured.”
Dylan took a step closer. “What are you doing, man?”
Evan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You come back into town, and suddenly, you’re all over her,” Dylan snapped. “You weren’t here. You didn’t see what she went through when you left.”
Evan’s eyes darkened. “And you think you’re the only one who cares about her?”
“I was the one who was there for her.” Dylan’s voice was sharp, raw. “And now, you just think you can walk in and—what? Take her away?”
Evan’s jaw tightened. “That’s not what it is.”
Dylan let out a bitter laugh. “Then what is it?”
Evan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “I care about her. And I’m not going to pretend I don’t.”
Dylan’s chest heaved. His fists ached to swing, but he forced himself to stay still.
“She doesn’t even know what she wants,” Dylan muttered.
Evan tilted his head. “Or maybe you just don’t want to admit what she already knows.”
Dylan stiffened.
Evan’s gaze didn’t waver. “If you really care about her, then let her decide.”
Silence hung between them, heavy and suffocating.
Dylan wanted to say something—wanted to tell Evan that he didn’t deserve Lena, that he wasn’t going to let him have her so easily.
But instead, he turned and walked out.
Because deep down, he knew Evan was right.
Lena had already made her choice.
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Lena
Lena sat on her bed, staring at her phone, half-expecting Dylan to call back.
But he didn’t.
She knew she had hurt him, but she hadn’t known how much until she heard his voice—strained, distant, broken.
Her heart ached.
She hated this.
She hated that her feelings had put a c***k in the one friendship that had always felt unshakable.
But what was she supposed to do?
Lie to herself?
Pretend she didn’t feel something when she did?
A knock on her window startled her.
She turned quickly, her heart leaping into her throat.
Evan.
She rushed to open it, pushing up the glass. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.
He climbed in effortlessly, brushing the dust off his jeans. “I needed to see you.”
Lena crossed her arms. “You could’ve called, you know.”
Evan smirked. “Where’s the fun in that?”
She rolled her eyes, but her heart was pounding.
Then she noticed something in his expression—something different. “What happened?”
Evan hesitated before sighing. “Dylan came to see me.”
Lena’s breath caught. “What?”
Evan sat down on her bed. “He’s not handling this well.”
Guilt twisted inside her. “I know.”
Evan looked up at her, his gaze steady. “I don’t want to hurt him either, Lena. But I can’t pretend I don’t feel this.”
Lena swallowed hard.
She sat beside him, their shoulders brushing.
“I don’t know what to do,” she admitted.
Evan reached out, his fingers gently tilting her chin so she would look at him.
“Just be honest,” he murmured. “With him. With yourself.”
Lena’s heart pounded as Evan leaned in slightly, his breath warm against her skin.
She knew she had to pull away.
But she didn’t.
Instead, she closed the distance.
Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss—one that felt like a choice.
Once she wasn’t ready to regret it.
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Dylan
Dylan sat in his truck, gripping the steering wheel, so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He had told himself to go home.
But instead, he had found himself parked outside Lena’s house.
And now, he was staring at her bedroom window.
Watching as Evan climbed inside.
Watching as the girl he loved kissed someone else.
Dylan’s stomach twisted painfully.
Something inside him cracked.
If Evan wanted to play this game, then so be it.
Dylan wasn’t going to lose.
Not without a fight.
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- Writer
