Page 124 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

“Oh. Yeah.” I gulp. “Colt mentioned he told you. Thanks for being so great about it.”

He scoffs, revealing a tiny chink in his armor of indifference.

“Is there a problem?” I ask.

He scratches his jaw and shrugs one shoulder. “I think it’s funny.”

“What’s funny?”

“How you honestly bought his bullshit.”

His chuckle makes my nose wrinkle, but I take the bait anyway. “What bullshit?”

“About him actually liking you.”

I roll my eyes.

Of course, he’d go there. Of course, he’d try to prey on my insecurities.

Freaking asshole.

“You know, Logan,” I tsk, “I really wanted to believe Colt when he said you were fine with me and him seeing each other. It’s a shame he was wrong. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I go to step past him, but he grabs my arm and stops me. Not roughly, or in a scary way. If anything, the move only proves how desperate he really is. I look up and meet his gaze, my own laced with pity.

“Let me clarify something for you,” he murmurs. “I don’t give a shit about him dating you. Honestly, I’m only looking out for you.”

“Oh, really?” I laugh. “How so, exactly?”

“Because he’s using you.”

“You’re full of shit, Logan.” I tug my arm out of his grasp and take a step toward the left, but he steps in front of me, keeping me in place like we’re in some sort of twisted tango.

“Can you move?” I snap, my amusement shifting to annoyance. I want to get out of here and find Colt. Maybe we can go back to my place and drown my frustration in some more Ben & Jerry’s. I’m sure Mia left a pint in the freezer, didn’t she?

“Gotta say, I’m a little surprised you’d cheat,” he tells me. “Didn’t think you had it in you.”

“I’m not a cheater,” I spit. “And neither is Colt.”

“Colt’s not a cheater, huh?” His chuckle is dark and throaty like he’s gargled gravel or something as he leans closer and glares down at me. “So, he didn’t tell you why he got kicked out of Dixie Tech?”

“I––” I shake my head. “Why does it even matter right now?”

“You said he isn’t a cheater,” he notes. “But he got caught screwing his professor’s wife. I’d say that’s cheating, don’t you?”

With a huff, I stick a pin in that particular tidbit and argue, “Doesn’t matter. I’m sure he has an explanation, and even if he didn’t, it’s in the past, which means I. Don’t. Care. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I lean to my right, but he mirrors my movement, using his massive body to prevent me from leaving. “Seriously, Logan. You’re pissing me off.”

“What else is new?” He scoffs.

“You know, I thought we could be amicable about this, but apparently, I was wrong.”

“You always were delusional,” he agrees.

Tongue in cheek, I tilt my head up and finally let loose all my pent-up frustration, all my pent-up disgust, and let it rise to the surface. “You wanna know something funny, Logan? I never really understood how toxic you were. I brushed aside all your little annoying idiosyncrasies because I was grateful I had someone to love me. What I never understood was you didn’t love me. You never did. You played the part, wanting to have your cake and eat it too. You knew I could’ve had plenty of other guys, so you wanted to claim me for yourself, and because I was young and naive, I let you. But can I let you in a little secret, Logan?”

“What’s that, babe?”

I smile and rise onto my tiptoes, dropping my voice to a mock whisper when part of me wants to scream the truth from the rooftops. “I was never really yours. I was simply numb and scared. But I’m not either of those things anymore.” I laugh dryly, letting the truth sink in. I add, “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, more in love than I’ve ever been, and more spoiled and grateful than I’ve ever been. So, thank you. For treating me like shit. For cheating on me countless times. For showing me exactly what I don’t need so Colt could swoop in and give me the opposite. You can keep your puck bunnies, by the way.” I pat his shoulder to drive my point home. “Honestly, I should thank them for taking you off my hands. But let me be clear, Logan. You and I are over. Even if Colt and I weren’t a thing, we would still be over. Now, let me out of this hallway so I can get back to my amazing boyfriend who loves me for me.”

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