Page 46 of Broken Like This by Bethany

“Uh-uh, no more tears,” he says, wiping my cheeks. “I came to make you laugh.”

“Thank you,” I mutter.

“I say we get to some fun then,” Sarah says, walking up to us.

“Where have you been?” I ask.

“Having a little chat.”

“Sarah…”

“It’s okay. I promise.” Her soft eyes allow me to believe that.

“Come on, Rae Rae, let’s go have some fun,” Jesse says.

I want to run away and hide under my covers. But I know he’s right. I need to laugh, not wallow. I need some fun. And it’s always fun with Jesse, even if there won’t be any hooking up this time.

“Rae…” Aaron’s voice cracks from behind me.

“No.” I stand up and back away. I look between Joel and Jesse. “Keep him away from me.”

“Please, I—”

“No.” I look pleadingly at Jesse.

“Joel, why don’t you and Sarah go with Rae and get ready, okay?”

Aaron sets his gaze on Jesse. He looks pissed and hurt. But fuck him. He deserves to feel hurt. And as long as he doesn’t punch Jesse again, he can be as pissed as he likes. I turn away from him and let Sarah and Joel walk me back to the dorm.

I refuse to keep being a puddle of tears over a boy who keeps hurting me.

Aaron

I blink at Jesse. Of course, he’s here. Of course, he’s getting in the fucking way.

I set my gaze on him, angry, hurt, just wanting to talk to her.

They hurry away. I don’t bother trying to stop them. I know it won’t matter.

“Jesse,” I say tersely.

“Aaron,” he says with a slight nod. “I take it my brother didn’t tell you I was coming.”

“No, he didn’t,” I say through gritted teeth. “Why are you here?”

“I came to cheer up my friend. Just in time, too.”

“With your dick?”

His expression, which was calm, turns angry. Red creeps into his cheeks and he steps in closer to me. “You’re one to talk. But no. Absolutely not. For two reasons. One, I have a girlfriend and of the many shitty things you could call me, a cheater has never been one of them. Two, even if I was single, I wouldneverdo that to Rae. In the past, she might’ve been hurting, but not like this. Even if it were her decision, it would still be taking advantage because I know she isn’t thinking straight. It speaks volumes to me how quickly you assume everyone is against you. Get your head straight, Aaron, or you’ll end up with no one on your side.”

He turns and walks away.

And I hate him.

Because I know he isn’t wrong.

He’s absolutely fucking right.

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