Page 23 of His Fractured Girl

“No!” she practically shouts. “I did not like him.” It didn’t sound that way in her sleep. It sounded like she wanted him to forgive her for something. There’s something she’s not telling me and I don’t understand why. But I need to know. I’m in deep with my feelings here, and I don’t want to find out that I’m falling for a girl whose heart belongs to someone else. “Would you mind taking me home now? I really need to get ready for my class so I’m not late.”

Those pancakes in my stomach are now turning into a batter of dread. She clearly doesn’t want to talk about him. And now I feel like this perfect relationship has just been fractured. She’s hiding something, and that’s a bad fucking sign.

The silence lingeredthe entire drive back to her place, and by the time I dropped her off, it felt like there was an island of distance between us. When I kissed her goodbye, I felt it in the way she rushed to get away from me. I’m not sure what the fuck is going on, but I know one person who may know.

When I get back to my house, I find just the person I’m looking for rummaging through the pantry, looking for her favorite cereal. Lukas shoved it on the top shelf for her so no one would eat it. I walk in and reach for it, handing it over.

“Who’s Maddock?” I ask.

Torrin’s eyes shoot up to me, the thanks dying on her tongue. It’s almost the same reaction Sophie gave me. There’s definitelymore to this guy than the fact that they were high school classmates.

“Why are you asking, Travis?”

“Because she was calling for him in her sleep.”

Her shoulders tense even more. “She had a dream, didn’t she?” I nod. “Look, it’s not what you think, Travis.” What I think is that there’s some guy that my girl is still in love with and no one wants to tell me otherwise.

“Did she have a relationship with him?”

“Please, Travis.” She shakes her head, pleading with me to drop it, but I can’t. “She’s my best friend and I don’t want to break her trust in me. Just ask her about it.”

“I did. And she didn’t tell me anything.” Then she gave me the silent treatment the entire way back to her place.

“Then maybe she needs more time.”

“More time for what?” To work through her feelings? To get over him? What exactly does she need more time for?

“To trust you. You’ve been dating for all of three days. It took us talking for the entire summer and then moving in together before she told me about her past.”

Fine. Point taken. I can accept that things just started between us, but with how rapid my feelings are growing, it feels like we’re on an accelerated track here. I don’t want Sophie holding things back and keeping secrets from me. I want to know everything, especially if we’re working toward a future together. At least, that’s what I’m working towards.

But if I push too fast, I might just push her away. Right back into the arms of this Maddock, and that’s the last thing I’m aiming to do. I can see myself with this girl. All the way to the end of life’s road.

“Just tell me this, Torre. Does she still have feelings for someone else?”

“No.” She shakes her head, looking like the idea of that is unfathomable, and finally the tightness in my gut loosens up a bit. “Believe me, Travis. You aren’t competing with anyone else. But, yes, he left scars. Just please be patient with her. I know she’ll come around.”

I hope Torrin’s right. I thought with the way things were that I’d already earned Sophie’s trust, but it looks like I have to work harder. I pull out my phone and shoot my girl a text. I’m going to plan something special for her tonight. Make her a quiet dinner in, just the two of us. No distractions so we can talk.

Me:Hey, baby. Are you free at seven?

Sophie:I just realized how behind I am on everything with school. I’ve been having so much fun, but I can’t let my grades slip. Rain check?

I look up from my phone, feeling like I’ve been sucker punched right below the belt. She’s running. But I’m not gonna let her go that easily.

“Hey, Torre. I have a favor to ask.”

11

Sophie

Ipush the door open with my hip, juggling my shopping bags and my backpack. One of the plastic handles breaks on the grocery bag and all of its contents go falling to the ground. My pint of blueberries spilling out everywhere. Little berries rolling across the floor, disappearing under my bed. “Oh no!” I hang my head and sigh. This day just keeps getting better and better.

I should just call him. I should ask him if he still wants to have dinner with me and spend the night together. But I can’t. I’m terrified he’ll ask about Maddock again.

“Let me give you a hand, babe.”

His deep voice startles me as he kneels to the ground, gathering all the little blue berries and putting them back in their container.

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