Page 65 of Puck Right Off

A tear slides down my cheek as his words pierce my heart like arrows.

“But it wasn’t reciprocated. You kept yourself at a distance, not allowing me in.” His voice cracks, a tear rolling down his cheek. “I fell in love with you, and you couldn’t even be honest with me.”

I fell in love… Agony swells inside my chest.He loved me, and I ruined it.

I try to find the words to make things better. “That’s not entirely true, Tristan. I let you in more than I’ve let any man in since…” I choke on the words, unable to finish them.

His stony stare bores into me before he folds his arms over his chest. “How long have you been dancing here?”

My breaths rasp in and out of my chest, knowing I can’t lie to him, but once I say the words, he’ll slip completely through my fingers. My hold on him is tenuous at best.

“A few weeks.”

“You lied about your whereabouts. Instead, you came here, stripping and showing what I thought was mine to other men.”

A sob bursts free from my shaking lips. “I need the money.”

“For what? You aren’t paying rent. You have a graduate assistant position.” He glowers at me. “You confessed thatyour mom gave you money.” He turns his head, his narrowed gaze locking on Sinful Sirens as though he wished he could burn it to the ground with a single look. “So why the fuck are you dancing here?”

The tears continue rolling down my face as I silently stare at him, knowing there’s nothing I can say that will make things right between us. I can’t tell him I’ve been saving money in case Josh finds out about us and kicks me out. It’s pointless now since there is no us.

A bitter laugh escapes him as he looks up at the darkened sky. “Lemme guess. You worried Josh would kick you out?” His head slowly lowers, waiting for my confirmation.

When I nod, he shakes his head. “You never trusted me at all, did you?” His hands clench into fists. “Here’s a secret I kept from you—I’m the only name on the rental agreement. That’s why Josh asked me if you could move in. He wasn’t being a polite roommate. He’s been paying me rent.” Anger burns in his eyes as he leans closer. “He doesn’t have the authority to kick you out. I do.”

I gasp, my hands flying to my cheeks. Shock has my mouth hanging open as I struggle to comprehend his words.

“If Josh found out about us, he could have threatened to kick you out, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it.” His breaths rasp from his lungs, passion burning in his eyes. “I fucking loved you, Jordyn. I would’ve tossed his ass out long before I asked you to move out.”

“W-What?” I squeak, my body numb from shock and pain.

“I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d feel obligated to pay rent I didn’t want or need. And once we became involved, a part of me needed the assurance that you cared aboutme. I needed to know I wasn’t a place to stay while you fulfilled your dreams.” Angrily wiping the tears from his eyes, his voice is like gravelwhen he mutters, “How fucking stupid am I to think you cared about me?”

I open my mouth, but he holds up a hand. “Save it, Jordyn. I don’t wanna hear it. I’ve been foolish enough.” The deeply pained look in his mossy irises guts me. “I thought you were special. Instead, you played me for a damn fool.” He whirls around, his large strides carrying him away.

I sink to my knees, trying to force his name through my dry mouth and lips, but the only thing that comes out is heart-wrenching sobs. The cold, hard blacktop cuts the skin on my knees, but I’m barely cognizant of it over the breaking of my heart.

I’m not sure how long I sob, my hands planted on the parking lot, my grief over losing him dulling my senses, making me oblivious to everything except the soul-deep agony that drowns me.

A large hand wraps around my arm. Alex’s soothing voice whispers in my ear. “Come on, Jordyn. I’m taking you home.”

As he lifts me to my feet, I shake my head, drowning in misery. “I don’t have a home. I don’t have anything.”

Alex squeezes me against his chest. “Yes, you do. Tristan is upset and hurt. Rightfully so.” He pulls out some napkins from his pocket, handing them to me. “Clean up your face. Where are your keys?”

I blankly look around, spotting my duffle bag on the ground. I have no idea when I dropped it. I think it was when Tristan and I began arguing, but I’m unsure.

Pointing to it, I hoarsely whisper, “Outside pocket.”

Alex nods, carrying me to my bag. He easily scoops it up before he heads to my car. My head falls against his shoulder, the tears overwhelming me yet again.

As he opens the passenger door and sets me on the seat, I lift the napkins he’d given me to my eyes, wiping the tears from my face. “Where are you taking me?”

“To my house. It’ll give Tristan time to cool down.”

My chin quivers. “He h-hates me, A-Alex. He’ll k-kick me out, and I don’t b-blame him. B-But I don’t c-care about t-that.”

My throat closes, but I force the words out anyway. “I’ve lost him. Forever.”

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