“No, seriously.He’s been acting like this for weeks.Cold, avoiding her.Avoiding all of us.”
Toby shifted uncomfortably.“Maybe he’s stressed.”
Justin shook his head.“Stressed doesn’t mean he gets to act like an ass.”
“Guys, stop,” I said, my voice cracking a little more than I intended.“Please.It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine,” Bryan shot back.“He’s hurting you, Cadence, and we’re just supposed to let him?”
Seth exhaled slowly, rubbing the bridge of his nose.“Yelling about it isn’t going to help.”
“Well, maybe it’ll get through his head if he hears it loud enough,” Bryan snapped.
The tension between everyone stretched taut.I couldn’t take it.The heat pressing against my eyes, the guilt in my chest, all of it collided until I was sure I’d choke on it.
“I need to go,” I said quickly, standing before anyone could stop me.
Seth reached for me, but I pulled away.
“I’m fine,” I lied.“Really.Just tired.Seeing my mom today took a lot out of me.”
The air outside was colder than I remembered, the night damp and heavy.I walked fast, hugging my arms around myself until I was back home where it was way too quiet.
And this time, the quiet felt more like a punishment.I’d ruined another night.Something that should have been enjoyed by everyone and my very presence shattered it.
I went back to my piano and pressed down a single note, the sound low and hollow.
Then another.
And another.
Until it filled the silence enough to drown out the ache in my chest.
Chapter Eleven
~Seth’s POV~
