Page 106 of Counter Bet

My blood turns to ice. Ben stops breathing too.

She takes another step back, inching towards the door. “We should have known from the beginning that we wouldn’t work. We’re too different,” she whispers, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

“Em…” My voice breaks. “What are you saying? I know you’re upset, but Ben only reacted the way he did just now because he’s been terrified since you ran out on us. You don’t answer your phone. You ignore us at school.”

“You know what?” she spits, pointing at Ben. “I wish you wouldn’t make excuses for him. He can talk for himself.”

My mouth drops open. “I didn’t mean—”

“Save it!” She walks over to the door. Her eyes find mine over her shoulder, and then she’s gone.

The door clicks shut.

My eyes burn with unshed tears. I’ve stopped breathing. My lungs don’t function anymore. I used to be numb, now I feel as if my heart has been torn from my chest.

A loud crash startles me, and I tear my eyes away from the door.

Ben is breathing hard, eyes trained on the indent in the wall. On the floor by his feet lies an upturned chair.

“Please, calm down,” I plead, clutching my aching chest, but he can’t hear me, lost in his own inner torment.

He picks up another chair and throws it with an anguished roar.

I jump at the loud crash.

He storms out, slamming the door shut.

I stare after him, tasting tears on my trembling lips.

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