Page 100 of Breakaway Hearts

This thing between me and Reese was never meant to last.

And now it’s almost over.

* * *

The rest of the day passes easily enough. We move on from fractions, and the kids settle into the routine of the week. By the time the last bell rings and parents come to pick up their kids, I’m ready to go home, rest on the couch for a bit, and then get a delicious Italian dinner with Reese.

The bus stop is a few blocks down from the school’s entrance, and even though I don’t usually mind not having a car, this is one of the few moments where I wish I had one. Denver winters are usually temperate, but today, the weather is plummeting into the teens, and I definitely didn’t wear a warm enough coat.

When the bus pulls around the corner, I hurry on and take an empty seat. The bus is mostly empty, so it’s just me and an older woman two rows ahead of me.

I’m about to reach into my bag for my book when the woman turns the page of the gossip magazine she’s reading, and something catches my eye.

It’s a picture of me and Reese. We’re holding hands and walking down the street, probably after one of his practices or games. Our relationship isn’t a secret, I know that, but it’s still surprising that tabloid reporters were following us around to get that shot.

I wince. I knew that could be part of this deal, since the local gossip rags love to chronicle the love lives of every Denver pro athlete. But I still wasn’t quite prepared for it.

Then I read the headline below the image, and I freeze.

REESE SUTTON’S REBOUND: WHALE OR WOMAN?

For a second, my breath hangs suspended in my lungs, and then it bursts out of me in a shallow gasp.

What the fuck?

Angry tears prick the edges of my eyes. What right does this half-rate magazine have to question my relationship with Reese just because of my weight? How did something like that get approved?

He’s Reese Sutton. Hockey all-star, super rich, was dating some really hot lawyer chick not too long ago. And you’re…

It’s way too big on you, and you know what oversized clothes do to your figure. I mean, when thin girls wear oversized clothes, it’s cute, but with you…

The last words Austin said to me bounce around in my head, and I grit my teeth, trying to shove them out of my mind. I keep glancing over at the tabloid’s image and headline until the woman turns the page, and then I have to restrain myself from marching over to her and ripping the paper out of her hands so I can shred it.

I press the ‘request stop’ button three stops before mine, but I don’t care. I need to walk, to be off this bus. Anything to blow off this anger that’s rising inside me, mixing with a sharp, painful embarrassment.

When I get home, my cheeks are pink with cold, and my fingers are freezing. At least the tears have dried and my anger has subsided considerably. The best thing I can do is forget I ever saw that stupid tabloid article and enjoy the night Reese has planned for us.

“Firefly!” Reese calls out as soon as I push open the door. “I have a question for you.”

I grin at the sound of his voice. It’s hard to believe that the comfort of his presence eases the discomfort I’m feeling right now. I want to crawl into the warmth of that, into the excitement in his tone and the welcome familiarity of his arms.

“What’s going on?” I slip my shoes off and go into the living room, where he’s sitting on the couch, his nose buried in one of my romance novels. “Have something new you want to try?”

“Yes.” He gives me a sinful look. “I’ve been getting all kinds of ideas. But first, you have to let me know who she ends up with. Is it Cade or Alex?”

He looks up at me and pats the couch cushion beside him. I snort and plop down onto the comfy couch.

“Ah. So you’re reading that one,” I say with a laugh. “I’m not telling you. You’ll just have to keep reading and find out.”

“Ugh,” he groans. “I am way too damn invested in this. It’s killing me.”

“Yeah. Love triangles can be tough. I usually end up falling for the guy she doesn’t choose, and that makes the ending a little bittersweet.” I give him a sympathetic look, and he puts the book down and leans back on the couch. He grabs my legs and drapes them over his lap, stroking his hand up and down my calf.

“Fuck, that means she’s gonna choose Alex, doesn’t it?” He makes a face.

I smirk. “Still not telling you.”

“Evil woman.”

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