Page 65 of Fletch

“You came for the club,” I tell her, fighting the guilt. “You were never going to win.”

She leans her head back against my chest and cries. Her body shakes uncontrollably. “Was it all a lie?”

I contemplate being honest, telling her how I love her more now than I did back then and how walking away is killing me. But even if I confessed now, it’s all too late. Too much has happened, and I’ve hurt her again, so I deal the final blow while forcing myself to hold my head high. “Yes.”

I release her, and she drops down, burying her face in her hands. I watch her shoulders shake from her silent tears and take a few more steps away. I did it before and I can do it again. Gemma Stone is too good for me.

She always was and she always will be.

Fifteen

Gemma

Idon’t know why it cuts so deep. Maybe it’s because it’s him. Maybe it’s because I’ve let him do this to me twice now. Or maybe it’s because I feel so humiliated. Either way, I’ve not left my bed for three days straight, and I don’t feel proud. I was a fool to think I could go in there and pretend to like him enough to make him open up. When has Cameron Fletcher ever opened up about anything? After all this time and a child together, I still don’t even know who his parents are.

The door opens slightly, and Ruby pops her head in. “How are you?” she asks in a soft voice. She gave up ignoring me two days ago. It’s pretty hard to ignore someone who isn’t even talking.

“What day is it?” I whisper.

“It’s Friday. You have to go into work today, remember?”

I shake my head. That’s the last place I need to go. Ruby steps in farther. “Please get up today, Gem. Shower, brush your hair. You’ll feel better.”

“I can’t.”

“You can. Just one step at a time.”

I turn over so my back’s to her. I hate being like this. She deserves better, but right now, I can’t face anything.

The door opens, letting light into the room. I blink, trying to focus as the figure comes into view. My father glares at me with disdain. “You’re just going to fester in here, are you?”

“It worked for Sarah,” I mutter.

“Get up.”

“No.”

“Gemma, get up now or I’ll drag you from that bed myself.”

“You said you’d be nice,” whispers Ruby. “She needs a doctor.”

“She needs to wake the hell up and face up to the situation she’s caused.”

“She’s not well.”

“I’m right here,” I snap, pissed they’re speaking about me like I’m invisible. “I just need a few days.”

“You’ve had a few days,” Ruby argues. “I’m worried about you.”

“Maybe you should go home,” I admit. “I can’t look after you right now.”

She stares at me with eyes full of hurt, but I look away. I don’t need her judgement too.

Fletch

“You look sad,” I note as Ruby stares ahead, not bothering to touch her breakfast.

“It’s Gemma,” she whispers with a sadness in her voice. We’ve avoided the topic so far, mainly because I change it whenever Gemma comes up. “She’s unwell.”

---