My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 03

My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 03

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “No. He just isn’t coming. We’re still meeting up. My flight’s already booked.”

Marcus was curious but didn’t push. Just said he’d be there.

I finished buying gifts. At checkout, I saw familiar figures.

The salesgirl had to ask, “Are you taking all of these?”

I snapped back to reality.

Derek was shopping with Lauren. His arms loaded with bags.

How rare. A whole year together, and the number of times he’d gone shopping with me could fit on one hand. And every time had a time limit.

Twenty minutes max. 　　“Just buy what you want. What’s the point of wandering around?”

He saved all his patience for Lauren.

I paid and headed for the other escalator, but Lauren spotted me.

“Maya!”

People in the mall turned to look.

Derek glanced at the bags in my hand. “A gift for Lauren?”

I shook my head.

He frowned. “I told you to get her something. Buying stuff for yourself instead.”

The complaint stung.Like he’d forgotten whose boyfriend he was.

Lauren gave him a playful look. “Maya definitely already got me something. Right?”

She winked at me, like she was covering for me.

Derek sighed. “You always defend her. You’re so good to her. And her? She forgot your birthday.”

“How could I forget such an important day?”

I said it calmly.

The day I confessed to Derek. Our one-year anniversary. The day I lost the bet.

But in Derek’s mind, only Lauren’s birthday mattered.

Derek snorted. “You did forget. If I hadn’t reminded you, you’d be at your little reunion.”

Lauren looked surprised. “College reunion? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Her voice turned hurt. “Are you mad at me? You feel so distant lately. You never have time for me anymore. Derek’s the only one who keeps me company.”

“I’m busy now. And I’ll be even busier later.”

I thought it silently: And you don’t need me around anymore anyway.

Seeing Lauren upset, Derek rushed to comfort her. “Her office is across town from us now. It’s not convenient like it is for me.”

Lauren smiled through her tears. “Yeah, I guess.”

I watched them coldly.

I’d already braced myself. But it still felt like a hole had been ripped in my chest, cold wind rushing in. And all I could do was watch it take my friendship and my love.

My flight confirmation popped up on my phone.

Derek noticed. “Going on a business trip?”

I didn’t answer. Let him assume.

He didn’t push. He never did. He asked questions but never wanted the answers.

When we left the mall, rain was pouring. Derek’s car pulled up in front of me.

“Get in. On my way anyway.”

Lauren sat in the passenger seat, smiling.

The words “on my way anyway” cut deep. And the sticker on the dashboard, ”Girlfriend’s Seat”, made my whole body go stiff.

A car behind honked.

Derek glared at me. “Come on. You’re holding up traffic.”

“No thanks.”

I turned and ran into the rain, toward a taxi parked nearby.