Page 89 of Perfect Score

“Shelby’s gone. He broke it off with her to get Zoey back,” I tell Phoebe, still scanning the room looking for her.

“Goddammit,” she says, pulling her arms off mine to get a better look around the room. “That little prick.”

“What’s going on?” Zoey’s mom asks.

“Liam’s being a dickhead again,” Phoebe says and then turns to me.

“Do you love my sister?” Phoebe asks, her eyes tearing into me.

It’s a lot to ask of a man to admit something he’s barely admitted to himself, but I know the answer the second she asks. I’ve known it since the day Mrs. Sharp’s husband sent a clown to our classroom, and Zoey jumped into my arms for safety.

I knew I wanted to be her safe place forever, and that’s never changed.

“Yes,” I say simply.

“Then go find her!”

As I make my way toward the hallway, panic pushes me faster with each step, and I hear someone call out my name.

"Brent!" Zoey’s dad’s voice stops me in my tracks.

I turn around and see Mr. Kloss standing there, his eyes narrowed in a way that instantly makes my chest tighten. For a second, I think he’s going to give me hell again—like he’s done every time we’ve crossed paths since I stood Zoey up for prom. But I don’t have time to wait for him to say whatever it is he’s about to. I need to find Zoey. I need her to know how I feel, and I can’t wait another second.

Before he can speak, I blurt out, “Mr. Kloss… I know you don't like me. And even more so, I know you don't trust me because of what I did to Zoey all those years ago, and if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't like me either. But I love Zoey," I tell him. He doesn't look surprised by my admission in the least. He just stands there listening, stepping closer as I explain. "I’ve loved her since the moment I met her, and I had no idea that the decisions I made to trust Liam with her would haunt me for the last ten years. I screwed up back then—more than once—but I’m not going to let that happen again. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to her, proving to her that she can count on me, that I’ll always be there for her. No more running away. No more excuses.”

His expression doesn’t change for a beat, but then something shifts in his eyes. He crosses his arms over his chest and lets out a deep breath, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

“Good,” he says gruffly, nodding his head toward me. “Because that fucker Liam’s been watching her all weekend, and I never liked that asshole.”

I let out a chuckle, not prepared for his response in the least, but relief floods my body as Mr. Kloss steps closer, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"This weekend plugged a lot of holes in the story I knew. Now it all makes sense why you called it off. I now know why."

"You do? Who told you?"

I know I didn't but maybe gran said something? I doubt that Liam offered up the information.

"I'm a dad, Brent. I'm always watching, and if you ever have a baby girl, you'll understand," he says, uncrossing his arms over his chest and tucks his hands into his pockets. "Now," His voice comes in low and serious, "Go find my daughter."

I nod, my throat tight as I turn back toward the hallway. There’s no time to waste.

I break into a jog, scanning the rooms as I pass them. This ends today—Liam isn't going to take Zoey away from me—not again. I’ll fight for her with everything I have.

I look side to side down the hall, not sure where to go, but I take off to my left. I race down the hallway until something catches in the corner of my eye.

Liam’s down on one knee with a ring in his hand.

He’s proposing and she’s standing there.

I watch for just a second, waiting for her to deny him, and then I see her nod.

She just said yes.

I feel like I just got a slapshot to the dick. The searing pain is impossible to describe.

I want to throw open the doors and out Liam for the shit friend and boyfriend he’s been to both of us. I want to remind her that he dumped her for the women in college and then again for a woman three weeks before their wedding.

I want to tell her that he’s been using her as a prize—a trophy to hold over my head, proving that the one thing I’d give up everything for is the only thing I can’t have.

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