Page 32 of Puck Right Off

He’s a puck boy who fooled me into believing he was different. Just like my ex-boyfriend, Joey, who broke my fucking heart when he lied to me.

I glare at Tristan, clenching my fists. I refuse to be anyone’s dirty little secret again. I’m not a plaything he can just use and toss aside.

Leaning beside Tristan’s ear, all the wrath I’m feeling rolls out of my lips like a thundercloud. “What the fuck are you doing in my room, holding my doll?” I scream.

Green eyes fly open. He blinks at me, disoriented and confused. Realization slowly dawns on his face when he straightens in the chair, shame etched onto it.

“Tristan,” I snap, out of patience. “Put the doll on my desk and get the fuck outta my room.”

His brows draw in as he looks at the doll, then at me. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep in here. I had to see if you were okay and?—”

A brittle laugh rolls out of me as I cross my arms over my chest. “You’re pretending to care about me. That’s rich, especially after last night.”

He blows out a breath, lifting his hand and running it through his hair. I hate that my body heats as his bicep ripples,and I have to force my eyes away. “I know it sounds bad, but?—”

“Sounds bad?” A bitter taste is in my mouth from the venom spewing from my tongue. Leaning over him so I don’t wake Josh, I hiss, “You fucked me in the shower, then disappeared and ghosted me. When you returned, you acted like an asshole and seemed interested in fucking that slut, Janelle.” Rage makes my hands shake. “Get your ass up and march the fuck out of my room. You aren’t welcome in here ever again.”

He stares at me, not saying a word. It infuriates me.

I grab the Strawberry Shortcake doll, but he refuses to let go of her. Anger burns in his eyes, but mine is more potent right now. It’s laced with the bitter sting of broken trust and betrayal.

“Just let me explain,” Tristan says through clenched teeth.

“No. I’m not listening to any more of your lies. Let go of my doll, dammit.”

“I need you to listen?—"

“I don’tneedto do anything, jackass.” My chest heaves as the words spill out of me, laced with the bitter sting of betrayal. “I gave you a piece of me in the shower, and you know damn well what I’m talking about.” My mouth is as dry as cotton, and I choke out, “I foolishly believed you when you said I was special and…”

His grip on the doll loosens as pain contorts his face. I snatch her away, clinging to the one thing that’s always been there for me. She represents the one thing I desperately want but can’t have right now—a hug from my father.

“Get out, Tristan, and don’t come back.” I whip around, turning my back to him as I carry my doll to the window and stare blankly at the yard, trying to keep my trembling body from breaking right in front of him. He’s stolen enough from me. He doesn’t get to see me break.

I hear his footsteps moving to the door. His voice is lowand full of regret. “I’m sorry, Jordyn. I… I d-didn’t mean for things to turn out like this.”

I don’t turn around. The thought of looking at him sickens me.

Gathering my strength, I spit out words I don’t mean. “Go fuck Janelle in the ass, Tristan.”

When the door closes behind him, I break, sobbing into my doll’s hair as I slump to the floor.

CHAPTER 19

Jordyn

Chelsea’s long, brown hair gleams beneath the sun and her legs look impossibly long in the short skirt she’s wearing as she climbs out of her vehicle. Pushing her sunglasses on top of her head, blue eyes assess me intently before a warm smile breaks over her face.

I’m already running toward my best friend before she opens her arms.

Crashing into her, I sob, all the agony bursting out of me like a broken dam.

Chelsea hugs me tightly, rocking me like she’s comforting a child. “Good God, Jordyn, do I need to commit fucking murder? Just say the word, and I’ll cut off Tristan’s cock and balls and deliver it to you on a silver platter.” She pulls back slightly, a glimmer in her eyes. “Then we’ll light ‘em on fire and watch ‘em burn.”

A laugh bursts out of me as I wipe my eyes. “I can always count on you to make me feel better.”

“I’ll kill anyone who hurts you. Then I’ll love all your broken pieces back together. That’s my promise as your bestie.” She steps back, holding up her pinkie. I wrap minearound hers, the bond between us as strong as ever. “I know something happened after we talked. You look fucking miserable.”

I sigh. “I am miserable. I’m blowing off class today. Let’s go to the clinic, and I’ll explain what happened.”

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