Page 169 of Holding On To Good

Or going to fucking frat parties with douchebags like Brandon.

Reed’s fingers twitched, wanting to curl into fists, but he forced his hands to relax as he stood, keeping his movements slow and easy, as if the idea of Verity surrounded by other guys—smarter guys, guys with brighter futures and cleaner pasts—didn’t make him want to throw his stool across the room.

He dug his wallet out of his pocket. “Like I said, there’s no me and Verity.”

“Yes. You did say that. Quite emphatically.”

Damn right he had. Because it was the truth. But if he pointed that out, she’d probably spout some bullshit about him protesting too much and he really would end up throwing his stool.

Which would only piss off Patton.

And prove Hayden right.

He took a ten out of his wallet. It was a game they played whenever Reed ate there. His pride insisted he pay for his meals. Hayden and Patton pretended to take his money.

And when it ended up in his next paycheck as a bonus, Reed pretended not to notice.

When you were always broke and it came down to pride vs money, even ten measly bucks, pride lost.

Every fucking time.

“See you tomorrow,” he said, setting the cash on the counter.

Hayden covered his hand with hers. “Do you want there to be?”

“What?”

“Do you want there to be a you and Verity?”

Heart hammering, he stared at the bar. It was another of her trick questions. This one meant to pry him open. To expose his weaknesses.

“It’s okay if you do,” she continued. “Verity is smart and kind and beautiful. It’s okay if you want to be with her.”

Without a word, he tugged his hand free, turned and made his way toward the door, pretending he didn’t hear Patton call his name or feel Hayden watching him the same way she’d spoken to him.

Soft. Sincere.

Sympathetic.

Grinding his back teeth together, he yanked the door open and stepped into the humid night.

It’s okay if you want to be with her.

Bullshit. He had no right wanting her.

And even if it was okay, it didn’t matter.

What he wanted didn’t matter.

It never had.

And it never would.

Verity’s breath lodged painfully in her chest. Her hands trembled.

And just like that, her entire Monday was ruined.

All because she’d checked Instagram while waiting for Ian to finish getting dressed.

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