Page 120 of Come Break My Heart Again

Juliet is standing over by the fireplace. She spots me and heads this way. I run a hand through my hair hastily. I have no idea what I look like. I feel disgusted. Violated.

“Hey. You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just have to go to the bathroom.”

Juliet’s forehead wrinkles with confusion. “You just left to go to the bathroom.”

“Couldn’t find an empty one,” I lie. “Going to try the basement.”

“Okay. Be quick. Keira wants to do another dance routine.”

I force a nod before turning around. Nothing sounds worse right now. The girl who laughed and shimmied earlier feels like a foreigner. And at some point, Archer is going to come downstairs. Facing him fills me with dread.

I pass the kitchen, turn left, and head out onto the back deck. It’s still warm enough that plenty of people are outside. I smile at everyone who calls out to me, but I don’t stop walking until I’m around the house and on the street.

I climb into my car and start driving. The wind whips through my hair as I speed along, my tight grip on the wheel relaxing some once I’m a few blocks away from Maddie’s house.

There’s no specific destination in my mind, but I’m unsurprised when I see the garage sign ahead.

I reach into the glove compartment and pull out a pack of gum once I’ve parked, popping a piece into my mouth and crushing the silver wrapper in my palm. The taste of mint explodes on my tongue, overpowering the less pleasant flavors lingering. I grab a jacket out of my trunk, then head for the one open door.

Male voices become audible as I walk closer. I can’t decide if I’m relieved or disappointed that Tucker is still here.

Both guys glance at me as I reach the doorway. They’re standing, staring at a bunch of metal car parts laid out on a green tarp.

“Hey.” I manage a smile. “How’s progress?”

Tucker grins back. “Great. It’s?—”

“What’s wrong?” Ryder interrupts, frowning.

I shake my head as my smile collapses. Damn, he’s perceptive. “Nothing. I just?—”

He’s in front of me in a few strides, his eyes stormy as they search my face. “Tell me.”

“I’ll, uh, I just remembered I need to do something, with, uh, something.” Tucker hustles toward the opposite end of the garage and away from the tension rolling off Ryder in waves. The intensity is overwhelming.

“Just a weird night. I thought I’d say hi before heading home.”

“Weird how?” Ryder questions.

“Um …” I wet my lips nervously.

Do I tell him? I wasn’t planning to. Wasn’t expecting him to instantly know something was wrong either. I want to forget it happened. I’m not sure if talking about it will help with that or make it harder.

The longer I hesitate, the more pronounced the crease between Ryder’s eyes becomes. “What happened?” he asks softly.

My eyes prickle with the telltale warning of tears.

I’m not emotional because of what happened with Archer. I’m devastated by the tenderness in Ryder’s expression, the concern on his face so blatant. I’m not used to sharing my struggles.

“Promise me you won’t do anything,” I say.

“Do anything aboutwhat, Elle?”

“Promise me. Please.”

A muscle jumps in his jaw. “You don’t trust me?”

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