Page 105 of Hate To Love You

“Where’s Gwen?” I ask.

“She left,” Haley says spitefully. If all Amy told Gwen was that I’m not dating material, then why would Haley seem so mad at me?

“What do you mean she left? Where did she go?” Haley crosses her arms and scoffs.

“Really? So you fuck another girl and you want to know where Gwen is? Go screw yourself,” she spits, and I feel like my world is crashing down around me. Fucked another girl? I didn’t-

Fucking Amy. That conniving little skank.

I shake my head. “I didn’t sleep with anyone other than Gwen. Tell me where she is so I can talk to her,” I demand.

“Go home, Ryker. She’s not here.”

That’s it.

I push past Haley, nearly knocking her over as I head for Gwen’s room. She wouldn’t have left without letting me explain first, would she?

Haley chases me, running into my back when I stop abruptly in front of Gwen’s bedroom. Everything is neat, her bed is made, but the novels on her bookshelf are gone. I walk to her closet, opening the door and seeing that most of her clothes and shoes are missing.

Her bathroom is practically empty. Her toiletries and makeup are not in their usual spots.

She’s gone. She really left.

Part of me is pissed at Amy for putting these ideas in Gwen’s head, for telling her we slept together. Another part of me is angry with Gwen for even believing I could do that to her in the first place. And the final part of me is angry at myself for building this reputation up for so long that Gwen really has no reason not to believe I wouldn’t do this to her.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and call her. It goes straight to voicemail. I call her again, and again, until I’ve called at least twenty times. Then I decide to text her.

My Rebel

Me

Answer your phone.

Me

Gwen, please let me explain.

Me

I can explain everything. Just

answer.

Me

Come on, Rebel.

Me

Don’t make me show up at your house. You know I will.

For crying out load, I sound insane, but I can’t let her think I cheated on her. We were just getting to a good place. I finally let myself have actual feelings for her, and now she’s gone, and I have to figure out a way to get her back.

There is no way I’m letting her leave me. Guinevere Sharpe is mine, and she’s going to have to believe me, one way or another.

My phone vibrates and I swear I felt my heart leap out of my chest.

My Rebel

---