Page 50 of Trusting Tanner
“Then you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“What if he hurts me?”
Devon smiled sympathetically. “You can’t go through life expecting people to hurt and disappoint you. That’s no way to live.” He shook his head. “If you really like this guy, you need to learn to trust him. Do it for yourself so you can finally let go of all that bullshit with Zach.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “One of these days you’re going to be wrong.”
He laughed. “Don’t count on it.” He put his arm around her. “You need to move out of that room.”
Juliana groaned.
“I’m serious, Jules. She’s just going to keep fucking with your head. You don’t need that.”
“Yeah, I know.” The nervous storm brewing inside of her since last night had finally calmed. But she had some serious thinking to do.
Chapter Sixteen
Tanner rushed out of the room as soon as class was over. He couldn’t get across the quad and to Juliana fast enough. He’d spent the last ninety minutes riding a roller coaster of emotions. Anger. Despair. Sadness. Grief. He knew she’d been hurt in the past, but to call him a liar? How could she think of him that way? Her accusation was like a physical ache in his chest, but every time the thought of losing Juliana creeped into his mind, he wanted to double over in pain. But right now, he was operating on adrenaline and sheer determination.
As he passed the English building, he caught sight of Rebecca. His steps faltered, and he hesitated. All he wanted was to see Jules, to pull her into his arms and kiss her again, but the only way he could make things better was to make sure Rebecca stopped her bullshit games. He changed direction and marched toward her. “Rebecca,” he called.
She stopped and turned toward him with the same seductive smile she’d flashed him the first time they’d met. It made his skin crawl. “Hot as always, Tanner.”
“We need to talk.”
She approached him. “Already?” A smirk flitted across her face. “I figured you’d get tired of sweet, little Juliana eventually, but I didn’t think it’d happen this soon.”
He gritted his teeth and clenched his hand into a fist. She was trying to goad him, and he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction. “Jules told me what you said to her last night.”
Rebecca flung her head back and laughed. “You should be thanking me, but I’m guessing you’re here to yell at me.”
“Thank you?” he shouted, eyes bulging. “You have got to be kidding me.”
“Yeah. I saved you from getting involved with someone who’s going to bore the hell out of you. I mean, c’mon. She looks like she’s a dead fuck.”
“Don’t you dare talk about her like that.” He dug his fingers into his palm to stop from pointing in her face. “You don’t know a damn thing about her or me.” His neck, face, and ears blazed with heat, and he was sure they were bright red, too. Rage poured through him at an alarming rate, and he forced himself to take a step back. “I don’t know what the hell your game is or what you’re hoping to gain by lying to Jules, but it stops now.”
A group of students walking by slowed down, staring in their direction. Tanner gave them a dirty look, and they moved on. He nudged Rebecca away from the door and lowered his voice. “We have never been and never will be together, Rebecca. You know that. So will you please tell Jules the truth?” He knew it was a long shot, but he had to try.
She crossed her arms with a flair of annoyance. “Now why would I do that?”
“Fuck.” He dragged his shaking hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Because you want to be a decent human being and do the right thing?”
Rebecca poked his chest. “I think you need to take a long hard look at your precious Juliana, because it’s not me you need to worry about.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What the fuck does that mean?”
She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I overheard her on the phone with Devon the other night, and she was chatting it up and laughing about how she’s going to get her hands on all your money.” Her voice had dipped to a harsh, ugly whisper.
Tanner was struck speechless. Jules had no idea about his trust fund or how much he was worth. Neither did Rebecca for that matter. “What money?” he asked, hoping she’d buy into him playing dumb.
“Oh please. Everyone knows you’re loaded. That fancy townhouse you live in. The designer clothes you wear. The platinum card you whip out every chance you get.” She snorted. “You really didn’t think she was with you for any other reason, did you?”
There was no way Jules could be using him for his money. His father’s advice resurfaced:Find the one who doesn’t give a shit and hold on to her.
“Oh my God, you did.” Rebecca giggled and then put her hand over her mouth. “Oh, that’s so sad.”
What a bitch!“Your pathetic attempts to stir up trouble aren’t going to work. Give it up.” He turned and walked away. His heart thumped loudly. Stupid. He was downright fucking stupid to think he could have a rational discussion with Rebecca. She only cared about herself and the joy she got out of the drama she created.
