Page 12 of Never Been Worse

I might, to be honest.

Actually, I’m well past snapping.I was broken in half and then crushed under Jeremy’s stupid wing-tipped shoes.

“I heard her in the bathroom telling her little friends that she wanted to win that for Jeremy. And I didn’t want her to have anything nice.”

Ava stares at me, and I stare back.

“Harp,” she starts, and I shake my head.

“No. Not now,” I whisper, the lump that I’ve been fighting down all day building once more. “Not now.”

I know she wants answers. I know she and Jules want to know how the breakup went, what happened at the police station, why I’m so devastated, and why I’m hiding away when before the arrest, I was mostly okay. They think I’m falling apart, that I’m unstable, and honestly, it’s easier to let them think that.

“But soon?” she asks, reaching over and grabbing my hand, gripping it tight.

I give her a smile and lie through my teeth, never planning on telling my friends about what I gave up. “Soon. But first, I apparently now have to plan for a date with the guitarist of my ex’s favorite band.”

Ava claps her hands excitedly. “Oh, my god, we have to call Jules. We need to go shopping!”

SIX

HARPER

The next night, I go on a ten thousand dollar date.

Ten thousand dollars I could’ve spent on literally anything: something for my business, part of a down payment on a house so I can move out of Jules’s backyard, or an expensive attorney to see if I have any other options.

Literallyanything.

But instead, I spent ten thousand dollars on a pity date with a friend.

Okay, maybefriendis being generous. A friend of a friend? An acquaintance?

And, okay, to say I spent money on a date is a bit of a lie too, considering I spent the money as a bit of petty revenge on my dumbass ex and his new girlfriend. At the time, it felt like the best option, a great idea, even. Now, with butterflies fluttering and my pulse pounding as I walk beside him in utter uncomfortable silence, it feels a bit silly.

We walk from where we parked to the Swift Building, paparazzi screaming at us, asking me about the vandalism and Wes if he knows I’m still in love with my ex.

See? I should have stayed home.

Our dinner is apparently at the top of the Swift Building, and once we’re away from the paparazzi, we endure a silent elevator ride before we arrive at the top of the open-air building. Nearly an hour later, we are pushing a way-too-fancy dinner around on our plates and attempting the most uncomfortable small talk known to man.

I thought it would be an okay evening considering I’ve spent my fair share of time with Wes Holden over the years at parties and whatnot, but I was wrong. So fucking wrong. I’m sitting here being bombarded with the reality of what a moron I am, and Wes looks like he would rather beanywherebut here.

I grab my champagne glass and throw it back, the waiter, who is watching our every move, making this only more uncomfortable, running over to refill it. I shouldn’t accept, considering I’ve eaten nothing today from the nerves, but still, I smile and lift the glass, taking another sip.

“So, how much did this date go for?” Wes asks, a hand rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Too much,” I grumble, and his eyes go wide. “Fuck. Sorry, I didn’t mean that, I just mean…more than I should have paid, considering I’m living in Jules’s cottage for the time being, and...you know, everything else.”

He stares at me for a moment, contemplating his next words, then shakes his head as if throwing caution to the wind before he speaks again. “Can I ask, why did you?”

I’m not sure how to answer this, but it can’t get much worse, so I go with the truth.

“Because men are the absolute worst.” He lets out a small laugh, and I smile, emboldened by his lack of offense to my statement. “It was just a petty little fuck you to my ex.”

“A fuck you?” He leans forward now, intrigued, and even though I’d rather talk about anything but myself, I’m happy we’re actually talking instead of just staring blankly at one another.

“My ex dumped me—” I start, but he gently cuts me off,

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