Page 121 of Come Break My Heart Again

“Of course I trust you. I wouldn’t be telling you this if I didn’t trust you.”

Ryder’s exhale is all frustration. “Can we stop talking in circles? Tell mewhat?”

“Promise?”

He studies me for a second, more gravity appearing in his expression as he considers why I’m insisting. Finally, he nods. “I promise.”

I play with one of my bracelets, too nervous to meet his gaze. “I was, um, looking for an empty bathroom at the party earlier. I ran into … Archer upstairs. We were talking and he was upset and he started, uh, kissing me. It lasted a few minutes, until I could push him, um, off.”

When I gather enough courage to glance up, Ryder’s expression resembles a thundercloud. “That motherfucker didwhat?”

“You promised,” I remind him quickly.

Ryder’s nostrils flare with anger. “Heassaultedyou, Elle. You should tell your parents and the police and?—”

I shake my head wildly. “No! No. I don’t want anyone to know. He was drunk and mad, and I’m fine. Really.”

“Don’t make excuses for him. Thereisno excuse.”

I nod. “I know. But I just want to forget it happened. He did a bad thing. He’s not a bad person.”

“You’re too forgiving,” Ryder tells me.

“I forgave you,” I say.

His eyes harden. “That’s my point. Someone should protect you from yourself. Actions have fucking consequences.”

I close my eyes briefly. I’m too drained to argue with him about this. “I’ll, uh, I’ll let you get back to work.”

I turn to leave, but Ryder reaches for my hand. As soon as I feel his warm fingers weave with mine, I pause.

One gentle tug, and I’m pressed against his chest, inhaling the scent of laundry detergent and sandalwood soap.

“I love you,” he whispers into my hair. “I’m mad because I love you so fucking much, Lo.”

My arms lift to wrap around his waist. I exhale, a sense of peace washing over me for the first time since I stepped into that bedroom. “I love you too.”

We stand like that, him rubbing soothing circles on my back that make the rest of the tension melt away.

“I saw Phoenix at the party.”

Ryder stiffens slightly. “Yeah?”

“You know he’s a drug dealer?”

“Yeah. How’d you find that out?”

“He offered me some.”

Ryder swears under his breath. “I’ll take care of it. Make sure he stays away from you.”

He says it like it’s that simple. Like he has more power than Phoenix.

“Have you ever done … favors?” I ask.

He pulls back far enough to see my face. “No. No, Elle. I know those guys from … they live right by me. But I’m not involved in any of that shit.”

“Okay.”

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