Page 144 of Come Break My Heart Again

“What rumors?”

“Lindsey Davenport was in my French class last period. She said …” Keira glances at Juliet. “She said Ryder was arrested.”

Lindsey’s father is Fernwood’s chief of police.

My heavy backpack hits the floor. “Forwhat?”

Keira shrugs. “I don’t know. Have you heard anything from Ryder recently?”

I don’t reply. I grab my phone out again and call him. We’re not supposed to make phone calls in school, but I couldn’t care less about following rules right now.

It rings and rings, then eventually hits voice mail.

Panic is starting to spread across my skin, a frantic, impatient buzzing that makes me want to run or scream.

This is crazy. Wrong. Something—someone—is wrong.

And then I see Archer.

He’s standing by the entrance to Mrs. Scott’s classroom, right where I know his locker is, talking to Perry. He looks up, spots me, and goes still. I haven’t seen or talked to him since fleeing Maddie’s bedroom on Friday night.

The underneath of his left eye is bruised, like he hasn’t slept for a year. The skin next to it is swollen, a large Band-Aid partially covering his cheek.

Archer might have an inflated sense of self, but he holds a lot of power in this school. The Hathaways are one of the most influential families in town. Archer’s father’s company insures most of it.

I can only think of one person who would be brave enough—who would bestupidenough—to punch Archer in the face.

He promised.

I’m pissed at Ryder for breaking that promise.

But it’s nothing compared to the fury I’m experiencing toward Archer as he looks away and breaks eye contact. Dismisses me, the same way he disregarded me in Maddie’s bedroom.

Perry sees me approaching first, his grin of greeting growing confused when he gets a good look at my face.

“Youfuckingasshole. What did you do?” I shove Archer into the lockers as hard as I can.

He’s surprised enough that I’m effective, but thesmackof his body hitting metal isn’t very satisfying. It’s just noise that adds to the growing commotion surrounding me.

Perry is saying something.

Other students are whispering.

I’m fully focused on Archer, the noise around me dulling to a low buzz in the background.

“What. Did. You. Do?”

“Nothing!” He straightens, tugging his shirt down so it hangs properly again. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, Elle. And you’re acting insane.”

His bravado is weak at best. Archer won’t look me in the eye.

“Ryder came after you, didn’t he? And you had himarrested?”

Archer finally meets my gaze, blinking blankly. I don’t know what the source of his shock is, and I don’t care.

“Tell me! Admit it!” I shove him again. “What thefuckdid you do?”

“Nothing!” Archer shouts back, his infamous temper flaring. If he feels any remorse about Friday night, it’s been overwhelmed by annoyance about the scene that I’m making. “Christ, Elle. Calm down. If that Two got arrested, then I’m sure he deserved it.”

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