Page 169 of Come Break My Heart Again

“Most people? How many did Tuck invite?”

“Probably about fifty more than showed up. You know Tuck.”

She nods. “I do.”

He’s the social butterfly of our trio. Reese and I are more lone wolves.

Last I heard, the guest list for his wedding was about five hundred people.

I walk upstairs, turning into the room where I slept last night. Keira’s leaning over the bed, changing the sheets.

“Can I help?” I ask.

She glances over her shoulder, watching as I set Reese’s suitcase down next to the dresser. “I got it, thanks.”

“Okay.” I smile, then turn to go.

“Ryder?”

I pause. “Yeah?”

Keira fiddles with the pillowcase she’s holding, looking nervous. “It’s none of my business, obviously. But … is something going on between you and Reese? Are you guys …extrafriendly? Because Tuck told me you aren’t, so that’s what I told Elle, but after last night, I just …” She chews on her bottom lip. “I feel bad that I’ve put her in … awkward situations recently. I want to avoid any more.”

My mind is racing. Elle never really let me explain that night when she called while I was over at Reese’s, installing her air conditioner. I couldn’t tell if she hung up because she was madabout the comment I made about her boyfriend or if she was jealous.

“There’s nothing going on between me and Reese,” I tell Keira. “We’re just friends.”

Maybe if I’d never met Elle Clarke, that would be different. Reese and I are similar in so many ways. She understands a lot about me, things I’ve never had to explain. She has rough edges, just like me. I wouldn’t worry about ruining her life.

“Are you and Elle just friends?”

“We were never just friends,” I reply, leaning against the wall. “We were always more.”

I wanted all of Elle, not just part of her. And I never thought she’d look twice at me. Part of me is still stunned that she did. Is still that fumbling fourteen-year-old, folding a paper flower and trying to come up with something clever to say to the most popular girl in school.

“She tell you what happened last night?” I ask.

Keira shakes her head. “No.”

I swallow, glancing down at the blue-and-white-striped rug on the floor. “I messed up—again. I just … I can’t figure out what she wants.”

When I look up, Keira appears incredulous. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but are youdumb? She wantsyou, Ryder. She’s always wanted you.”

“I didn’t think she’d wait,” I say. “If I saw her again, I thought she’d have a massive diamond on her finger. Maybe have a kid on the way.”

“Well, she’s not engaged or married, and she’s definitely not pregnant.”

She could be. We had unprotected sex last night, and I have no idea how effective the medicine she took is.

“She deserves better,” I say. “I can’t give her … anything.”

“Do you really think Elle doesn’t know you’re broke? Again, no offense. I’ve known her for a long time. Longer than you. She’s been rich her whole life. I was there when she got her convertible and when her parents gave her diamond earrings at her college graduation. And I’ve never seen her light up the way she did when you two were arguing about who was going to drive last night. Or when you were washing her dog. I’ve met every guy she’s ever dated. Yeah, most of them were wealthy. She didn’t look at any of them the way she looks at you. So, if you’re holding back because you think she doesn’t love you or is better off without you, you’re wrong. So, fuckingdosomething, Ryder, before it’s too late.”

I stare at Keira, processing.

“Again, none of my business.”

“She’s mad at me,” I say. “It might already be too late.”

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