Page 40 of Sweetheart: Part One

Beautiful.

A perfect remedy to the adrenaline and humiliation still hot in my blood. “And I don’t think I’ll be doing that,” I finished.

Love pinched his brow. “She doesn’t seem to want anything to do with you.”

I almost wrinkled my nose, that suggestion irritating me just as much from Love as it had from her.

What business did a Sweetheart have, rejecting me?

Still, I wouldn’t let them see that.

“Unless she’s packing, I just can’t agree.” I shrugged, shooting Love an indifferent look. “You’rethe one that made it so that any of our signatures will seal her contract.”

Love’s expression almost mirrored Ebony’s bitterness. Hehadmade the contract like that, but only because he’d been trying to dissuade Ebony from risking bringing Sweethearts in too often. Love didn’t believe for a moment that Ebonywanteda permanent Sweetheart, so the single signature provision made him less likely to risk it.

Iwouldn’tactually sign her, of course—not after tonight. She was mad, and fucking manipulative, clearly.

But I would make Ebony sweat,andI would get my fucking revenge on the shit she’d just pulled.

TWELVE

VEX

Drake: Are you alright?

That text had come in a minute ago. Drake was still typing.

I stared at the bright screen in the dark space. I’d fled into the walk-in closet. Now, I was under the rack of white dressing gowns that had been here when I arrived, and bundles of extra bedding and pillows. I was pretty sure Drake had stayed, and was just outside in my room right now.

Drake: I’d like to make sure you’re okay.

Drake: Won’t come in unless you okay it.

My fingers were shaky as I typed out a response on impulse.

I trusted Drake, though.

Me: You can come.

Then I wrote out the question I was so afraid to ask.

Me: Are they dissolving the contract?

I didn’t send it.

I had to at least get out of this shelf of bedding before he came in. He was going to think I was insane. I tried to stick my leg out, but there was a little flutter of panic in my chest. I squeezed my eyes tight shut, shoving it away, along with the little whine that rose in my throat. That made me panic more, it wasmuchtoo omega. Hecouldn’thear that.

Still, I couldn’t move.

Here, I was safe.

I tried again to shove past the fear. If I didn’t get out, Drake was going to find me curled up in this tiny corner, and then what would he think? Shutting myself in the walk-in was one thing, but curling up like this made me look like a child.

Or an omega.

Too late, I heard the creak of the closet door.

“Vex?” Drake asked.

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