Page 7 of Don't Puck Your Best Friend’s Girl

"Why not?" Chloe asks. "It's not like he deserves a fancy breakup dinner."

I nibble the toast, trying to settle my stomach. "I'm not ready."

Mina returns with the dress and my favorite boots. "You were ready two months ago. You're just scared."

She's right. I slip into the dress, letting her fix my hair while Chloe does my makeup. By the time they're done, I look like someone who has their shit together. If only I felt that way.

The walk to class feels like a death march. My heart pounds as I enter the lecture hall. Byron's already there, lounging in his usual seat, scrolling through his phone.

He looks up when I approach. "Hey."

"Hey." I sit down, leaving more space between us than usual.

"Listen, about last night—"

"Don't." I pull out my notebook. "Let's just get through class."

He's quiet for a moment, then he says, "I should've mentioned it last night, but you need to lay off Cade."

My head snaps up. "Excuse me?"

"Yesterday in the quad. You were pretty harsh." He doesn't look at me, focusing on his phone again. "He's going through a lot right now."

"Going through a lot?" My voice rises slightly. "He cheated on Hannah. And he has the audacity to be pissed she accidentally slept with his brother? It was anaccidentthat she made very clear and apologized for. She even broke up with him because of it…like out of respect, but what Cade did wasnotan accident! He's a self-serving asshole, and I don't know why you're friends with someone like him."

"You have a way of twisting things, Saylor. That's not how it went down," Cade says like he is unamused. What the hell?

"Oh really? Because that's what Hannah told everyone, that's what you told me, and it's what he's been saying this whole time."

Byron sighs, finally putting his phone down. "Saylor… His girlfriend snuck into his room where Sanderson was coincidentally staying the night for some fucking bizarre reason, and his girlfriend fucked his brother. And you know that they're together now? They. Are. Together. It's beyond fucked up."

I shake my head, not giving a shit about Cade and his drama. "So, what? She was with the wrong brother, but she's happy now. Sanderson is happy, so just let them be. I don't understand the big deal. Why is he signing up for hockey and talking about making amends with his mom? He's––"

Byron almost laughs. "Why the fuck do you care so much about what Cade is doing? He's mad! He has a right to be fucking mad, Saylor. He can handle his shit however he decides to. And you know what, you've been treating him like shit since you've known him." His voice is sharp now. "It's time for you stop being a bitch to him and get the fuck over it. He's one of my best friends."

The words sting, even though Mina and Chloe are in the back of mind, reminding me that I should be breaking up with him. "Don't. Don't call me a bitch! I can't believe you think that asshole deserves to be mad when he's the real cheater in the situation. He doesn't have a right to be mad, Byron. So, you approve of him cheating?"

"What do you want me to say? He's my friend. And you pick fights with him constantly. It's annoying as hell."

"Then maybe you should choose between us." The words are out before I can stop them. This is actually perfect. I'm tired of him, and I'm so fucking over his best friend's drama.

Byron stares at me. "Are you serious right now?"

"I am dead serious. If I'm so annoying, if defending your precious best friend is more important than how I feel—"

"This is exactly what I'm talking about!" He throws his hands up. "Everything becomes drama with you. Can't you just be cool for one second?"

The professor enters, saving us from further argument. I pick up my things and walk to the other side of the room. He doesn't reach for my hand, doesn't ask me to stay, and he doesn't even look at me.

So, fuck this.

This is the moment when I finally check out too.

The second class ends, I gather my things quickly, but Byron is already at my side.

"Saylor—"

"No." I pull away. "Just…don't."

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