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I don’t ask him what he does with them—not that he’ll share. He is private and keeps his secrets close. Even after weeks, I know so little about him. Not that I mind. I just think he’ll tell me when he feels comfortable. Like yesterday.

I read the orders and write down their information in the back of my notebook.

“How exactly are you going to mail them?” Heath turns on the car and aims the AC fans in my direction.

“Mail.”

“Do you have the money for that?” he asks skeptically.

“Yes. I sent them the item price plus delivery, so I won’t be at a loss.”

One side of his mouth quirks up. “Smart girl.”

Two words and my entire body floods with heat.

I look everywhere but him, though he’s focused solely on me. His attention makes my cheeks red and increases my heart rate.

“I’ll pick you up after school to go to my place.”

“I can get there on my own.” I’m embarrassed that I have to take rides from him, and I don’t give him back in any way. He’s helped me so much, but I can’t say the same.

His eyebrows furrow. “How would you do that? You don’t have money for anything.”

What!

He…did he really say those words to me?

I…

Why does my chest hurt?

Those cruel words pierce through my heart like a sharp knife meant to tear you apart.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but no words come out.

All this time he was nice to me. I forgot he’s known for being rude.

I’m so stupid. So stupid.

Without saying a word, I exit the car.

16

Heath

“You saidthose wordsto her?” Sebastian stares at me with his grass-like green eyes.

“It was the fucking truth.” I throw away the dirty towel over the bench press and get on the treadmill to run myself to exhaustion.

My best friend joins me, not showing any signs that he’ll let go of this topic. He’s always been a persistent one.

“Heath, what you said was condescending,” he reprimands me.

“It wasn’t.” Turning up the speed I run as if my life depends on it.

I want the pain in my muscles to numb the pain in my chest.

“You’re an asshole.”

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