Page 13 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘That you were so depressed, you tried to hurt yourself. Did you?’

‘No. I mean, I’m depressed, yes, but not hurt-myself depressed. Though I suddenly feel like hurtingsomeone…’ I glance over at Mike peeking out of my room.

A relieved smile crosses her face, then she hugs me again. ‘Mike’s such an asshole.’

‘Yes, yes he is,’ I retort, my gaze moving back to my brother, who’s lifting his hands like he’s sorry. Liar.I should hurt you; I mouth the words as he smirks like the smarmy piece of shit he is.

‘I’m gonna give you two a few,’ Bryce says, backing out of the room towards his bedroom on the other side of our apartment. I’m glad he’s good at reading the room. ‘Mikey!’ he yells. ‘Get out!’

‘Later,’ Mike says, dodging past Berkley like he’s afraid of her. He should be, ’cause if she wanted to murder him right now, I’d gladly help. ‘I got your lady here, now pack your shit,’ he orders as he exits. ‘Or I’ll be back with Finn to drag your pathetic heart-sick ass over, and that’s not a threat; we’ll do it. You’re not ruining this for us.’

I flip him off. He might be an asshole, but that asshole somehow got Berkley here when I couldn’t. He shuts the front door behind him, leaving the two of us standing only inches apart, one of her hands loosely in mine. Now to figure out what to say.

5

BERKLEY

For a moment he stares at me, a not-so-subtle smile on his face. ‘You look good.’ The words tumble from his lips as if he’s at a loss, or unsure how I’ll react. If he had a tail, it’d be between his legs right now.

‘We both know I look like shit, but thanks,’ I say meekly.

‘Nah,’ he says sweetly. ‘You’ve never been anything but beautiful.’

‘Will—’

‘I’m miserable without you, Berkley.’ He cuts me off, squeezing my hands in his.

Why’s it so hard to hide my feelings from this man? Maybe because before now I never have. Helooksmiserable. He hasn’t shaved since I saw him last, by the looks of it, and he needed a haircut two weeks ago; now it’s just unruly. But adorable. I want to kiss the hell out of him.

No, Berkley. Do not let him in already! Stand your ground. He made a giant decision that ruined your future together and lied to you.

‘I’m gonna blow off the show,’ he says. ‘Everyone will hate me but I can’t lose you—’

‘Will, don’t,’ I say, a painful twang shooting through my heart. I’ve thought long and hard about this and I’ve got some things to say.

‘Don’t?I thought that’s what you wanted? For me not to do the show.’

‘What Iwantedwas for younotto lie to me about something this huge. But that didn’t happen, so…’ I cross my arms over my chest. ‘I assume you lied because youwantto do it? You don’t seem very happy about it now.’

‘I lost the best thing I’ve ever had because of this show; nothing about that feels happy.’

As I walk to his couch, I heave a sigh, tossing my bag onto it before sitting down. He follows, sitting on the coffee table to face me. We’ve been in a lot of fights. Mostly small things. He’s so organized it annoys me. His tone was wrong.Mytone was wrong. I put the milk back in his fridge with only a swallow left. I’m overly stubborn (so I’m told). He uses the toilet – for both numbers – while I’m in the shower. Little things, ya know? Annoyances. This is the biggest fight we’ve ever had and the only time we’ve ever broken up for real.

I don’t even know what to say so instead I start picking the bright blue polish off my nails. Why am I ruining a perfectly good manicure?Just talk to him. You’ve rehearsed this five hundred times over the last couple weeks, Berx. Say it.

‘I’m miserable too,’ I admit softly, glancing up at him with only my eyes. I wish I could lie and say I’m fine, but I can’t. I can’t lie to him so how he did it so easily I don’t get. He looks relieved to hear the words. I couldn’t not say them. I’m here wearing not a stitch of makeup, and my hair’s pulled into a messy ponytail. I rarely leave my apartment like this. I haven’t even worked since we parted ways that day and until an hour ago, I couldn’t even remember the last time I showered.

‘You shouldn’t have lied to me.’

‘If I could take it back, I would.’

‘If only time machines were real,’ I kid.

‘Ha-ha,’ he laughs softly. ‘Not gonna lie,’ he says, a hint of a guilty grin on his face. ‘I looked ’em up. I had high hopes for that Elon Musk, but he disappointed me again.’

I stifle my smile. ‘You’re not allowed to make me smile right now.’

‘It’s my only talent, Berx. To me, your smile is brighter than the sun. I love seeing it.’

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