The world around me grows blurry, a kaleidoscope of beige and grey. The truth hits me in the gut.
I would have followed her anywhere.
I'll follow her anywhere now.
"It was like…" I swallow the lump in my throat. "When I met her, my life became bright and full of possibilities. I've never known anyone else who can light me up like this. It's fucking scary."
My words feel like they’re spoken into a deep hole. The same one I fell into the moment she left me.
"Tristan." Serena's voice is gentle and soothing, like a hand reaching out in the dark. "If you want to win her over, you have to show her what you're showing me now. You have to be honest. No more lies."
I nod frantically. "I can do that. I'll do anything, but I need her to talk to me. Serena, you need to get her to hear me out."
Her eyes grow hesitant. "I can't force her. You might need to give her a little time."
I shake my head rapidly and start pacing the floor again. "I'll die if I have to wait. Please, Serena. Get her to talk to me."
"It's not Serena's job to clean up your mess," Nick says.
"Nick." Serena’s tone is stern. "He's in a bad place. The same type of place you were in not long ago." She cocks a brow. "Have some compassion. Give him advice."
Nick sighs. "Wait until your next game date."
I run my hands through my hair. "That's two days away. I can't wait that long. Plus, it’s the last fucking one, and it’s a group date. No.” I shake my head. “I need to see her sooner.”
"This isn't about you," Nick says.
"He's right,” Serena says. "Maybe send her a text telling her you want to talk soon. Then bring it up again on our next date."
I stop pacing and meet Serena's gaze once more. The ache in my heart is throbbing like a deep wound. How the hell will I get through the next forty-eight hours?
CHAPTER 25
Amy
Tristan: I'll give you some space. For now. But we're talking about this Amelia Harrington. I won't let you shut me out.
I rub my thumb over my phone, making Tristan's text from yesterday wiggle on the screen. How fucking pathetic that I'm disappointed he hasn't texted since. That he really is giving me space.
“Is that from Tristan?” Serena asks.
I came to see her an hour ago, and she told me an unsettling story about what Tristan did the moment he left my dorm room yesterday.
I knew he would be angry about what I did, but I never thought he’d be so…desperate. Serena said when he talked to her and Nick, he looked near tears.
Why does this have to be so fucking hard? Even if Tristan admits he slept with Harper and shows genuine remorse, we don’t have a future. I could never be at ease with a man like him.I’d be jealous and suspicious all the time, unable to trust him to be honest or faithful.
“It’s from yesterday,” I say. “I haven’t responded.”
Her expression grows grave. “Don’t you think you’ll be more nervous if you wait until the group date to talk to him? You’ll have cameras on you. We’ll be hiking.” She cringes. “All sweaty. Huffing and puffing. I think you’ll feel better if you get your talk out of the way first.”
A heavy weight settles in my chest. I clench a fist, digging my nails into my skin. “I’m not ready to talk to him yet. I just…” My throat grows tight. “I’ll start crying. I’ve been on the verge of tears for the last twenty-four hours.”
The thought of Tristan seeing me cry is like red ants crawling all over my skin. He’d know the truth then. I’m heartbroken. There’s no other way to describe this listless despair that descended over me the moment I left his frat house.
She sets her hand on mine. “He’ll probably cry, too. He nearly did yesterday.”
A flare of anger rushes through my veins. “Why would he cry when he has Harper? When the whole campus worships him?” I shake my head. “I don’t mean much to him. If I did, he wouldn’t have slept with Harper.”
