Page 47 of Hard to Break

That’s the opposite of what I want with her. After watching her from a distance for so long, surviving on the moments of laughing with her, touching her, wanting her in secret.

“No. Things have been fine since you moved in. My life’s better with you in it.”

But hers isn’t. I see it on her face.

I pull up social media and scroll through. They’re saying shit about me but even worse about her. They’re implying I’ve gotten distracted since I started dating her, that she’s a bad influence.

I’m the one caught out but her reputation is suffering.

It never occurred to me, but it does now.

The truth is a stabbing pain in me, worse than what I felt in that room with Harlan and James.

I take her by the shoulders, pull her toward me. On some level, I know I’m being selfish, but I want her to say that we’ll figure this out. Together.

If she leaves…

There’s no guarantee she’ll come back.

“Miles…” Her lips lift, but there’s sadness on her face. Her eyes shine with regret.

A knock on the door jars me out of my thoughts.

Brooke turns and opens it.

Jay’s waiting outside. “Everything okay?” He looks between us.

“Don’t go.” Desperation edges in, and I reach for her hand, smearing blood on her skin.

I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for her. I wouldn’t have had the season I’ve had. I wouldn’t have felt as high as I’ve felt without this woman in my life in a way I stopped letting myself believe I could have her.

“It’s not forever. Just until life settles down. I’m afraid that if I don’t, you could lose everything you’ve worked for.” Brooke’s voice wavers at the edge, and it’s that waver that makes me release her.

As I watch her go, with the same bags I packed for our romantic trip a week ago, I can’t help thinking…

If you leave, I’ve already lost.

HOOPSNEWS UPDATE:KODIAKS GUARD GARRETT SUSPENDED FIVE GAMES FOLLOWING DRUG INCIDENT

12

BROOKE

“That’s bullshit,” Ruby declares as we walk along Huntington Pier.

“It’s true. Vitamin D fixes everything.” Nova takes a sip from her water bottle. “Not that kind of vitamin D,” she adds at my arched brow.

The LA sunshine beats down on us, and I pull my sunglasses off my head and slide them up my nose.

Since I walked out of Miles’s place, it’s been a rough few days.

I moved back in with my parents. To their credit, they didn’t ask what happened with Miles, and I didn’t volunteer it.

I didn’t take all my things because that would hurt more, would make this feel more permanent. Instead, I brought a few bags of clothes and necessities. I can go back for the rest when I have to.

IfI have to.

I didn’t realize how hard it would be waking up without him. Making my own coffee sucks, and it’s not only that it tastes different.

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