Sighing, I walk around the front of the car and get in. I play with my fingers as the silence between us continues.

Letty stops at a red light and turns to me. "When were you going to tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

She rolls her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. "Don't play dumb Alexis. You're my best friend and I know when something is off with you." She pauses as the light turns green. She presses on the gas before continuing. "It took me a while to figure it out, but I guess it all adds up now."

I let out short breaths as my stomach begins to turn. My palms begin to sweat and my heart starts beating erratically. I turn my hands over and wipe them against my pants. Not knowing what to say, I just stay silent.

Letty sighs. "Dom doesn't try and hide it, but you do. I can see the looks you two share when you think I'm not paying attention. Is that why you weren't at the races for a little bit? Because of me?"

My head shoots up and looks at my best friend. "What? No! That's not the reason." I run my fingers through my hair. "I was trying to keep some distance from Dom. I didn't want to hurt you, and I know the more time I spend with him then that's what will happen."

"You have feelings for him," Letty states—not a question, but tells me. She comes up to the house and pulls over, shutting off the engine.

"I wanted to tell you," I whisper. "But I was so scared. I don't want to ruin what we have over some guy."

Letty shakes her head. "But he isn't some guy to you Alexis." My eyes meet her own. I see the corners of her lips turn up in a small smile. "You always had feelings for Dom, and I know you would always care for him more than I could. I even knew that when I dated him. I felt terrible sometimes when I would see the disappointment in your eyes when I was with him because I knew you'd always love him."

I don't know what to say. Letty knew for years?

"You two connected right away when we met him at fifteen. When he asked me out at sixteen, I saw the sadness in you even if you refused to tell me." Letty turns and I see tears flooding her irises. "Don't feel scared to tell me. Yeah, it hurts a little, but I'm over Dom. He's a friend to me now, and I don't see myself ever wanting to date him again. I can't do that to you when I knew for so long your feelings for him."

She reaches out and takes one of my hands in hers. I open my mouth to say something, but close it as I still figure out what to say. "So, you're not mad? Because the last thing I want is for you to be mad at me. Our friendship comes first."

"And I love you for that," she adds. "You're an amazing friend Alexis. But I want you to be happy." She starts rubbing her thumb along my hand. "Ever since your Dad has been taken away you've been different. Yes, you laugh and have fun, but I know at the end of the day you go home to that empty house and still think of your dad and the day he was taken from you."

Damn, she's right. My dad was arrested over a year ago for a crime I'm pretty sure he didn't commit. Since my mom died when I was five, my father was my world. He made sure to always be there for me when I needed him, which made watching him being handcuffed and taken away hard. He was transferred a few hours up north so I can't even see him on a regular basis.

"And I know that is when Dom's feelings started to grow," she continues. "I saw him react to when you would walk into a room, or win a race. He was ecstatic to see you, and even though he tried to convince me differently I knew—which is why we both agreed to break up."

Shaking my head, I murmur, "I'm the reason you two broke up? I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," she insist, her grip on my hand tightening. "You did not do anything. Feelings grow and die—that's life. At first I took it hard before the breakup, when he was lying to himself and me about his feelings for you, but I grew to accept them. I see what an amazing guy he is to you Alexis. You need that in your life. If there was a guy to protect and make you happy—Dom is that man for you."

Tears start to drip and travel down my cheeks. I feel Letty's fingers wipe away the wetness.

"Don't cry," she murmurs, bringing me in for a hug.

Wrapping my arms around her neck, I bury my face into her neck and let out the tears after unbuckling the seatbelt. I remember doing this when my father was taken and Letty broke into my house when I refused to answer. She held me as I cried the whole night, and now it's more about the relief of not hiding this anymore from her.

"Be happy Alexis. You deserve it."