Page 25 of Never Your Girl

There’s a pause before his next message rolls in. It’s a question that makes my pulse skip.

ColdAsIce17

So, what’s his issue?

I stare at the screen, my stomach tightening as memories flood back.

The night Bridger and I spent together, along with the way he ghosted me afterward. All the hurt, confusion, and bitterness come rushing in, and for a second, I want to confess everything.

Instead, I chicken out.

Me

No clue. Guess some people just need a villain. Always happy to oblige.

There’s a pause that feels heavier than usual.

ColdAsIce17

Funny. I know exactly what you mean. But, hey, sometimes people only see what they want to.

His words hit deeper than they should, like he knows exactly what it feels like to be misunderstood, to be judged before you’ve had a chance to explain. I have the sudden need to know more. Who he is and why he gets what no one else seems to.

Me

Exactly. Doesn’t matter what you do or say, they’ve already decided who you are. Makes life exhausting.

“Holland, you’re up.” Randi’s voice cuts through my thoughts.

I set my phone down and let my eyes fall shut, pulling in a deep breath to steady myself. Whatever I think I want, whatever emotions threaten to surface, none of it changes the truth.

Not with Bridger.

Not with Ice.

Nothing will alter the reality of where things stand.

As I step out of the dressing room, a faint flicker of hope sneaks in. And I wonder, just for a moment, if there will ever be a time when I let myself believe in something more.

Something real.

8

Bridger

When another mass message lights up my screen, I swear under my breath. I don’t need to open it to know it’s going to be another shot aimed straight at me. Whoever’s behind these messages knows exactly where to hit the hardest, twisting things just enough to make me question everything.

Anonymous Message

Daddy’s money won’t protect Sanderson forever. Looks like the golden boy’s got a few cracks. It won’t be long before he crumbles.

I slam my phone down, pacing my room as anger knots in my chest.

“Fuck, dude.” Steele watches from my bed, worry etched on his face. “It never ends. Why can’t the tech department just shut the server down?”

“I’m done waiting for the university to handle this.” I grab my keys, already moving. “I’m going to take care of it myself.”

Before he can argue, I’m out the door and in my car, heading toward Holland’s place near campus. I have no idea what I’ll say when I see her, but I can’t sit around watching my life get picked apart one message at a time.

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