Page 110 of Break my Heart

I make a move to turn as if I’ll go back down the stairs to the sidewalk. Instead, I bolt toward the door, pushing him aside and slipping past.

“What the fuck!” Bridger barks, reaching for me, but I’m already halfway across the entryway. I make it five steps, just enough to see into the spacious living room before Bridger’s fingers lock around my upper arm, halting me in my tracks.

When his hand tightens, I give him a death glare before jerking free.

My heart spasms painfully beneath my breast when I find Hayes sprawled on the couch, two girls curled up against him, their hands trailing over his chest. I recognize them immediately—the brunettes from The Roasted Bean. The ones who couldn’t take a hint. One of them leans in, whispering something in his ear, and he smirks, his eyes heavy-lidded with lazy amusement.

Tears sting the backs of my eyes as I watch them, my body frozen in place.

Bridger steps up behind me, his voice low and mocking. “Have you seen enough, or do you want to stick around and see what happens next? Spoiler alert—you’re not going to like it.” He gives me a considering look. “Unless you’re cool with sharing?” There’s a beat of silence. “Some chicks are.” He shrugs. “Hayes’s motto has always been ‘the more the merrier.’”

I whirl around and glare at him, trying to hold back the tears. “Screw you.”

Betrayal and humiliation crash over me. I don’t know how I’m still standing. How I haven’t collapsed under the crushing weight of the emotion.

How could I have been so stupid?

How didn’t I see him for the player he truly is?

Was he sleeping with other people the entire time we were together?

The acidic taste of bile rises in my throat.

I need to get out of here before I throw up.

That would be the icing on the cake.

I stumble toward the door, grateful Hayes hasn’t caught sight of me. Every step feels like I’m walking through quicksand. I thought Nathan’s texts were the worst thing that could happen today.

I was wrong.

“Still want me to tell him you stopped by?”

I blink back the tears before refocusing my attention on Bridger. If I didn’t know better, I’d think there was a mixture of sorrow and remorse filling his eyes. But how can that be?

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Probably for the best.”

“Yeah.” It takes effort to hold the sob inside as I keep moving. Even though I’m frightened about what waits for me out there, there’s no way I can stay here for another second.

Just as I open the door, someone steps in front of me, blocking my path.

“Ava?” Concern laces Britt’s voice. She takes one look at my face and her own expression hardens. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

I try to swallow the lump in my throat, but it’s no use. Tears spill over, and before I know it, Britt’s arms are slipping around me and holding me tight.

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “What did Hayes do?”

“That’s not really fair. How do you know Hayes did anything?” Colby mumbles from behind her.

She shoots him a sharp look before turning back to me.

“Sorry. Stupid question,” he says grudgingly. “What did the jackass do?”

“Can you please drive me back to my apartment?” My voice cracks as I try to speak. “I need to get out of here.”

Britt doesn’t release her grip on me. “Of course. We’ll grab something to eat, and you can tell me everything. Okay?”

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