Page 112 of Break my Heart

Ava has too much talent, too much potential, to let Nathan ruin it all.

She needs to be far away from him… and me.

If only knowing all of that made it easier to stomach.

It certainly doesn’t stop the ache that gnaws at my chest or the urge to go to her, tell her everything, and promise that I’ll protect her.

The sad truth is, I don’t know what to do anymore.

I’ve never been so conflicted in my life.

“I had to make sure she’d leave,” I mutter, more to myself than to my teammate. “She needs to be safe. And she won’t be if she stays here.”

In order to get his help, I had to let Bridger in on what’s been going on with Nathan.

He releases a long breath and crosses his arms over his chest. “Yeah, I get that. But did you have to be so brutal about it? Now she thinks you don’t give a shit. That you never gave a shit.”

“I do care.” My tone is harsher than I intend. “I care about her more than anything, which is why I had to do it. If something happens to her because of that asshole…”

“So what now? You’re just going to let her think you’re the world’s biggest dickhead and hope she’s better off without you?”

I grind my teeth and stare at the floor. “If it keeps her safe, then yeah. Do you have a better idea?”

With a shake of his head, he remains silent. He might not like how everything went down, but we both know this was the only way. Ava needs to get out of here, away from Nathan’s obsessive bullshit, and the only way to make sure she goes is if she thinks there’s nothing left for her here.

But God, the thought of her leaving, of never seeing her again… It feels like my insides are being ripped apart.

“I’m gonna head out,” I say abruptly, beelining for the front door. “I need to clear my head.”

“Maybe what you really need to do is figure out a way to fix this mess before it’s too late,” Bridger mutters, his tone sharp.

I don’t bother with a response.

I don’t know if there is a way to fix it, or if I even should.

Maybe the best thing for Ava is for me to stay out of her life, no matter how much it fucking kills me.

36

Ava

I wipe another tear from my face. My reflection in the window tells me everything I need to know. My eyes are red and my cheeks blotchy.

For the second time in eighteen months, my world feels like it’s crumbling around me. The pain and betrayal are all too familiar, and I hate it.

Hate that I let myself trust someone again.

Hayes said all the right things, and I fell for it.

I should’ve known better.

Britt rubs soft circles on my back. “Aw, babe, I can’t stand to see you like this.”

I nod, choking back another sob, though it feels pointless at this stage. “I’m sorry for being such a mess,” I mutter, embarrassed by how much I’ve cried tonight. I’ve been like this for over an hour, and yet the tears keep coming.

Who knew a person could cry so much?

“There’s no need to apologize,” she says softly, but the words do nothing to stop the ache gnawing at me.

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