Page 17 of Broken Hearts

“It’s not a bad idea,” Liam continues, and both Ethan and I shoot him a surprised look. Liam’s not the type to meddle in people’s business, so this is a step into unfamiliar territory for him.

My brain, sluggish from lack of sleep and the throbbing in my head, slowly pieces things together. “All three of them?” I ask, trying to sound casual, but the interest is there, lurking beneath the surface.

“Yeah,” Ethan confirms, nodding. “Poppy, Nessa, and your Eva.”

A noncommittal grunt slips out, but inside, my mind races. Poppy and Nessa are fiery on their own, but adding Eva to that mix? That’s a volatile cocktail of emotions and pent-up frustrations.

Liam seems to read my thoughts. “It’s a controlled environment. Better they smash some plates in a rage room than…”

Let their anger out on us. I silently complete his sentence. He’s right, though. Better they find some release in a controlled setting than let things escalate further.

Leaning back, my thoughts begin drifting off. The idea of Eva unleashing her fury on inanimate objects rather than me brings a grim sort of comfort. Maybe it’s what she needs—a way to vent all that anger without any collateral damage.

“Maybe it’ll be good for them,” I finally say, more to myself than to the others. “A safe way to let off steam.”

Ethan starts, “Liam and I will be there, just in case—”

“I’m joining too,” the words rush out before I can stop them. Maybe, just maybe, if Eva’s guard is down, I can start to understand why she hates me so much. I admit, what I did at prom was low, cruel even, but I know my Eva. She is an infinite well of forgiveness. Right now, I’m probably pushing it, but I’m determined to make up for it in the future. I just need her to give me a chance.

Liam gives Ethan a knowing look, one that says, “I told you so,” and Ethan visibly winces at my determination.

Ethan tries to interject, “Cole, listen—”

“No, I won’t listen,” I shoot back, standing up abruptly, feeling a sharp pain in my head. “What right do you have to go and not me? And don’t give me that ‘Eva can’t stand you’ line. It’s not like Curly’s thrilled with your company either.”

Ethan throws Liam a helpless look. In response, Liam raises his hand in surrender. He's a smart man, knowing when to give up because I'm as stubborn as they come, especially where Eva is concerned.

Ethan tries to reason with me, “Cole, she deliberately avoided the party last night to not see you. That should tell you something.”

I clench my jaw in frustration. That moment is etched in my memory. Standing there with my friends, anticipation coursing through me, eagerly awaiting Eva’s arrival. The thought of seeing her descend from the car, radiant in her ball gown, was like a do-over. It was a chance for redemption, a sliver of hope to mend what I’d broken.

However, she wasn’t there. The initial surge of annoyance quickly gave way to a deeper, more agonizing realization. I felt the sting of rejection, a raw, pulsating pain that seemed to turn my insides bitter, a metallic taste of disappointment lingering on my tongue.

At that moment, a heavy thought hits me. Was this how Eva felt at prom? Left alone, all her hopes crashing down? It's a bitter irony, this same kind of pain now weighing on me.

I straighten up, my tone leaving no room for debate. “If Eva doesn’t want me around, she can say it to my face. Until then, I'm not backing off. That's final.”

Ethan lets out a weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. “Cole, man, why do you always have to push things to the limit?”

Responding with a simple shrug. “It’s not about being difficult. It’s about not backing down.” In my mind, it’s clear—it’s not just about me being stubborn. It’s about not giving up on Eva, on us.

I head upstairs, filled with an unshakeable resolve. I'm well aware of the walls Eva has put up, but I'm determined to be there when they finally come down. I'll be there to catch her, to help her rebuild – but this time, from the inside, right there alongside her. That's the future I'm fighting for.

Chapter 9

Eva

Descending the staircase in my rose satin dress, my heart races with excitement and nerves. Tonight, at prom, Cole and I are supposed to make our relationship official. It’s a turning point, a moment I’ve longed for despite the recent rough patch between us.

My father, standing at the foot of the stairs, looks at me with so much pride and a little sorrow. I know he wishes my mom was there too.

“My plum fairy, all grown up,” he says, his eyes misting over. “I wish I could be there to keep an eye on that boy.”

Laughing it off, I reassure him about the boy’s gentlemanly behavior. “You don’t need to threaten him with your shotgun, Dad,” I say with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ll introduce him to you soon.” I was worried because I promised to stay away from his team, and I ended up with his star player.

Reluctantly, he lets go, but not without making me promise to tell him everything tomorrow. I agree; my mind already at the prom, envisioning the night ahead.

Arriving at the venue, my stomach twists into knots. The grandeur of the ballroom looms before me, its lights twinkling like stars. I step out of the car; the crowd is already inside. And then, there he is, standing on the steps, his back to me.

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