Page 146 of Long Live the King

“Stop.”

He turns towards me, a knowing grin on his face.

“Tell me.”

“She looked sad like she has every day for the past week. Well done, mate.” He says, sarcasm dripping from his words. “You really showed her what a massive knob you can be.”

I flip him off, otherwise ignoring his jabs. “But she was fine?"

“Apart from how obviously sad she looked, she seemed alright, yeah." He tells me.

This is what I’ve been relegated to in order to get updates on Bellamy. Scrounging for crumbs.

Thayer refuses to tell Rhys anything — I believe she invented a whole slew of colorful curse words when he asked — and the woman in question won’t look at me in the halls.

It’s been a week without talking to her and I’m not sure I’ll make it another.

“Of course, Jeremy was there so that helped cheer her up.”

Rhys’ words drag me out of my reverie. I snap my gaze to his. “What did you just say?”

He gives me a wide-eyed, innocent look. “I saw her atBella'swith Jeremy.”

“What were they doing?”

“He got them both milkshakes."

Hearing that he bought her a milkshake of all things has spiteful anger barreling through me like a cannonball.

Our story began atBella’sand now she’s there with another guy?My muscles are corded so tightly, a single, small movement would break me like fine china.

“Actually, I got a picture of them in the parking lot if you want to see.” He offers, casually.

He pulls the phone from his pocket and I snatch it out of his hand. “Alright, touchy.” He says, putting his hands up.

Going to his camera roll, I click on the last photo taken and enlarge it.

Jeremy and Bellamy face each other in the parking lot, a milkshake in either one of their hands.

He stands too fucking close.

Less than a foot separates them. He looks down at her and she smiles up at him. It’s a small smile, imbued with sadness, but it’s still directed at him.

He has his hand on her chin.

I see red. Bright, furious red.

The photo leaves me wondering what happened next. Did he bring his other hand to her hip and pull him against her? Did he lower his head and claim her lips?

I hurl the phone against the wall, the sound of it shattering giving me only a modicum of satisfaction.

“Mate, what the fuck.” Rhys groans next to me. “You’re getting me a new one.”

I stand and straighten to my full height. “What happened after you took that picture? Did he kiss her?” I demand.

“You know, I’m not sure.” He says, lifting his shoulder in a careless shrug. “I didn’t stick around to see the rest.”

“Fuck you.” I tell him before storming out.

---