Page 77 of Until Then

Justin merely grunts. It’s his love language.

We make it an hour before my phone buzzes with a new text. A bit of disappointment weighs on my shoulders when it’s not from Noah.

The feeling only deepens when it’s from Jasper. I deleted his number long ago, but it’s one of those with a different area code; I still know it's him.

Unknown: I thought you were more mature, Hazy. Spreading rumors to Tyrell about me? Maybe I really liked Amberlyn.

I re-read the text a few times before deciding the jerk doesn’t deserve a response.

Another five minutes and a text comes again.

Unknown: Leave me on read, it’s fine. At least I’ll know you’ll see this. Thought you’d want to know your man might’ve had those ulterior motives you accused me of having, after all.

A video message loads and my heart stops.

Jasper must be somewhere in the corner of a restaurant if I had to guess. From the angle, he’s being a creep, but clearly filming Noah’s side profile. The camera in the video shifts to get a look at the man across the table.

No. Blood drains from my face. Seated two feet away from my boyfriend is Shane. My father is a handsome man. I know some of my own features belong to him, but the sight of him still leaves me spinning in anger and heartache.

The clip is only ninety seconds. Shane’s face is cold as he speaks to Noah.

I don’t hear what they say, but I take note of Noah’s stiff posture. From where he’s being filmed, I can make out his fist curled over his knee.

He’s uneasy. He doesn’t know the truth. Or does he?

Jasper wants me to believe Noah’s using me for my dad when he’s the one who made certain Noah was drawn into the sights ofShane Holston by sending Colt’s video. Now he’s, what? Stalking him? Jasper’s a jealous, entitled idiot. He used me for my dad’s influence, and never got the notice he wanted.

He’s trying to paint Noah the same. The trouble with his attempt is Noah has never mentioned Shane Holston. Never. He has no idea.

At least he didn’t.

Tears sting behind my eyes. No doubt he’s being blindsided right now, likely wondering why I kept the truth from him. Mom warned me, and I never found the spine to admit it.

“Hayley Mae.” My uncle’s sharp tone snaps me from the video. His face is twisted in concern. “What’s got you breathing like you’re about to burst out in tears.”

I blink, thoughts spinning. “Shane found Noah.”

“What? Give me that.”

Somewhere in my daze, my uncle takes my phone and watches the clip.

“He didn’t know,” I whisper. “Noah didn’t know.”

“Hey, look at me,” Milton demands. “Whatever this deadbeat is saying, the kid is smart enough to know the truth for himself, okay?”

“What does he want?” I say, voice rough. “Why can’t he just . . . stay gone? He never wanted to be in my life, so why does he keep inserting himself in small ways?”

“Because he’s a selfish man who’s obsessed with making his overinflated ego known,” Justin grumbles.

“I need to text Noah. Try to explain.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t even know what they’re saying.”

I blink and a single tear falls onto my cheek. “I know, but I kept it from him. Jasper set this up, and I have no doubt Shane knows exactly who Noah is to me. It’s like he wants to keep me down and keep taking from me.”

I hate him for hating me.

I didn’t ask to be born, yet he resents me for taking my first breath.

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