Page 115 of Never Your Girl

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, my chest aching. “I was trying to do the right thing.”

He shakes his head, his laugh devoid of humor. “Yeah, well, you didn’t.”

And just like that, he turns and walks away, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. I stand frozen, tears stinging my eyes as my heart shatters for the boy I’ve grown to care about.

And for the man who deserved so much better.

Western University Chat App

FragileLikeABomb

Why do I get the feeling you’re the type who secretly likes Taylor Swift?

ColdAsIce17

I’m offended by the “secretly.”

FragileLikeABomb

So you do like her?

ColdAsIce17

I didn’t say that.

FragileLikeABomb

You didn’t deny it either. It’s okay, Cold. You’re safe here.

ColdAsIce17

Safe? Fragile, you’re the last person I’d feel safe around.

FragileLikeABomb

That’s fair. I’m pretty unpredictable.

36

Bridger

I stand outside Garret’s apartment, staring at his door with its cheap paint and crooked numbers, trying to get my shit together. The night air seeps through my jacket, but the chill has nothing to do with why my hands are shaking.

I could bail. Turn around, go home, pretend I never found out the truth that’s eating me alive.

But I didn’t come this far to chicken out now.

Before I can overthink it, I knock. The sound echoes through the empty hallway, loud enough to make me wince. My knuckles sting, but I barely notice over the way my heart’s trying to punch through my ribs. The seconds drag as I wait, counting breaths until I hear footsteps approaching from within the apartment.

My pulse jumps when Garret opens the door, his expression shifting from mild curiosity to a wall of ice.

“What do you want, Sanderson?” He blocks the doorway, arms crossed.

I clench my fists at my sides. There’s no point in dancing around this. “I know.”

For a split second, confusion clouds his face before his defenses snap back into place. “You... She told you?”

“No.” A bitter laugh escapes. “Dick did.”

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