Page 42 of Hart Breaker

I pull my feet up, bury my face in my knees, and I fucking lose it.

Boone’s hand is on my back, rubbing little circles. “Just gonna let you know, I’m team Brooksie all the way.”

I sniff. “Bullshit.”

“No bullshit. I’m a girl, a dad, and a man; we’re fucking dogs. Team you.”

I wipe my nose with the sleeve of my shirt and roll my head to the side to look at him.

“But I’m also team anyone against a fucking tool like Brett.”

“Of course you are.” Part of me is relieved he thinks this is about Brett and didn’t catch the reason I came here tonight.

“If I had a hot piece of ass who’d given me her heart, I sure as fuck wouldn’t mind the thirty-minute drive into class every day.”

Pissed, I spit some facts. “I wish everyone would stop acting like I’m blind to shit like that. That everyone would stop thinking I don’t love my girl time as much as he loves his golf or seriously prefer the bed to myself at night and not worrying about who gets stuck in the wet spot.”

He clears his throat and holds a finger up. “Gotta give me a second with the thought of that last part, but respectfully, ya know.”

I smack him in the arm. “And you and your girl dad bullshit, you’re no better.”

“Come again?” He chuckles.

“Cory Sparks is a girl dad.”

“He’s got one hell of a girl, too.” He smiles like I’m making casual conversation.

“Picture this, dipshit. Lily gets her heart fucking crushed, and some shit-hot football player tells her she’s got the kind of face any man would dream of falling to sleep looking at, that her body is sexy as fuck, and what else was it? The ultimate stepmom?”

“Nothing wrong with telling the truth.”

“Yeah? I could see how an idiot would think that, but an asshole would kiss her.”

“Was supposed to be a quick peck. I didn’t know she tastes like sugar. Told her that, too.”

“You’re a moron.” I sniff.

“Hey now, be nice.” He sighs. “If Lily’s mom weren’t getting her shit together, Sydney Sparks would be in for a world of hurt, but in a good way, ya know?”

“Just leave her alone, Boone; she’s healing.”

He lifts his chin as his grip on the wheel tightens. “She’s going to make the right guy the happiest man in Blue Valley.” He sighs. “But enough about sugar tits.”

I smack him.

“She knows about Lindsey.” He hits his turn signal to pull into the parking lot. “This shit isn’t easy to say, but there’s a girl named Gina who your fiancé spends a hell of a lot of time with. Make sure you look into that before you walk the green mile, Brooksie.”

TEXT’S & BUSTED PHONES

Hudson

It was close to midnight when I got the first text.

Unknown:

I believe I’m owed a thank you.

I’m not sure who the hell it is sending the message, but right now, I’m not thankful for shit.

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