Page 128 of Don't Let Me Fall (Don't Let Me 1)

Where is he?

58

COLT

After the shitshow Logan put Ash through, I’m ready to rip his head off. But I need to find him first. There are so many people. So many students who are about to see shit go down. Shit that should’ve gone down a long time ago. But I don’t care. I’ve never cared about saving face in front of strangers. The only person who matters to me was manipulated––used––by one of my best friends.

And it’s all my fault.

He lied to me.

He said we were good.

Said he was okay with me dating Ash.

Instead, he used our friendship to get close to her again, so he could make her feel like shit. And I can’t believe I fell for it. I’m sick of letting him off the hook––letting him maintain his golden boy persona––and I refuse to let it continue. Not for another second.

When I spot Logan in the crowd, my hands clench into fists.

He’s talking with Depp, cackling as I hear the words slut and pathetic slip out of his mouth. His gaze meets mine, and he arches his brow.

Shoving through the crowd, I grab the collar of his T-shirt and cock my arm back, hitting him square in the jaw without waiting a single fucking second. His head swings to the side, followed by a spray of blood from his mouth and a low, guttural curse.

I’m surprised I caught him off guard. He knew I was coming. Knew I’d demand retribution. He must not have expected me to be as pissed off as I am.

This isn’t some hockey tussle like when we’re on the ice. This is more. This is about Ash and how he hurt her. How he wanted to hurt her. How he convinced me to invite her to the party tonight under the guise of everything being good between us so he could cause her pain.

My hand pulls into another fist, another wave of disgust rolling through me. Logan tries to scramble away from me, guarding his face with his hands, but I don’t let his shirt go as I throw a second punch. It lands along the bridge of his nose, easing the tightness in my chest, though the relief only lasts a second. I let him go, and Logan crumples to the ground.

With a curse, Depp jumps back, his hands in the air, unsure whether or not he should intervene. I turn to him and growl, “Did he call Ash a slut?”

“Dude, I don’t want anything––”

When Logan realizes everyone is watching us, he stands up and wipes the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his expression twisted and angry. “Calling it like it is, Colt.”

“Fuck you, Logan,” I spit, my hands fisting at my sides as I fight the urge to deck him another time. “Fuck. You.” I turn around, ready to storm away but stop myself and face him again. I can’t help it. I need an answer. An explanation. “Why?” I demand. “Why would you tell me we were good and go behind my back so you could hurt her?”

He glares back at me, his lips flat as he grinds his teeth. “You can’t be mad I called you out, Colt.”

I step closer, my anger pushing me forward. “I don’t give a shit about Brooke, all right? Didn’t even know what you did until you decided to throw it in Ash’s face. My problem is that you think you can make her question whether or not I love her––whether or not she’s my world––it’s bullshit!”

“You crossed that line first––”

“Bullshit!” I repeat, my upper lip curling as I tower over him. “You lost her because you refused to treat her the way she deserves. That’s on you. Not me. And now that she’s mine, there is nothing that will take her away from me. Nothing. Do you understand me? And if you don’t keep your bruised ego out of our relationship, I’ll ruin your pretty little face beyond repair. We clear?”

“We’re through.” He spits the blood which had collected in his mouth in my face, and I wipe it off with my hand, too pissed to hit him again when I know he’s goading me.

He isn’t even worth the bruised knuckles on my right hand.

“Fine by me,” I return and head out the door without a backward glance.

Everyone’s eyes are on me as I storm through the crowd, but the only ones who matter are shining back at me, full of hurt at the door.

“I told you to keep her outside,” I seethe at Theo standing beside her.

“Heard everyone go quiet in here. Had to see what was going on.” His attention shifts to someone behind me––probably Logan––and back to me. “You all right?”

“We’re gonna get outta here.” I grab Ash’s arm, ready to get the hell out of this place. She follows without a word, her sniffling the only clue as to how much she’s hurting.

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