“What does it even matter? We were just kids, Jared. Kids who thought they were in love, but what the hell did we know about life or love at fifteen?”
There’s a lot of truth mixed in with the lie. We were completely ignorant of the world, but I still know what I felt in my heart was the real deal. Standing before him only confirms it.
Jared King will forever remain the love of my life.
I wish it wasn’t true, but try telling that to my heart.
It wants who it wants. I haven’t ever been able to understand it. It should be puppy love. It should have been easy, after all this time, to forget him and move on.
But I can’t.
I have tried.
And I can’t do it.
I hate him as much as I love him.
I know we will never be together, yet it makes no difference.
My heart still beats only for him.
Stupid, cruel organ.
“I know what I felt,” he says, sadness threading through his tone. “We might have been inexperienced in the ways of the world, but I knew I loved you. I would have waited forever for you, Sydney.”
“You didn’t even wait six weeks!” I yell, rage battering me instantly on all sides.
“What?” His brow puckers. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
The photo of him with the two brunettes resurrects in my mind in vivid Technicolor, and vicious pain spears me through the heart. “Please go, Jared. I can’t do this. I can’t go back there. I can’t relive it all again. I barely survived the first time.”
He takes a step forward. “Sydney, something doesn’t add up, and I think it’s time we got to the bottom of it.”
“It’s too late.” I shake my head and sigh. “What benefit is there to dragging all that shit up again? You’ve moved on. I’ve moved on,” I lie, noticing how his gaze falls to the man’s shirt I’m wearing again. “Just let it go.”
“I can’t, Syd.” He reaches for me, and I fall back, almost stumbling over my feet. I can’t let him touch me. I don’t want to find out what his touch would do to me after all this time. “At least give me closure.”
“Sydney?” Gio calls out from behind me, and I briefly close my eyes. I was wondering how long it’d take for him to make an appearance. “Is everything okay?” he asks.
Casting a glance over my shoulder, I force a smile on my face as he pads quietly toward us. “I’m okay. Jared is just leaving.”
Gio’s mouth pulls into an instant frown until he takes a proper look at the guy standing in my doorway, and shock splays across his face. He must not have heard the gossip yet. “You’re Jared from Ruminate,” he says, coming up alongside me.
“You have me at a disadvantage, mate.” Jared’s tone is clipped, his expression tight.
“Giorgio Pedina.” Gio thrusts his hand out, and it’s a little surreal watching them shake hands. “I’m a big fan of your music.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
I level a glare at Gio as he snags my waist and jerks me into his side. I should push him away, but I don’t. Maybe if Jared believes I have a boyfriend, he’ll back off and forget about taking a walk in the past.
Jared nods, forcing a smile. “Thanks, man. We appreciate the support.” Refocusing on me, he ignores Gio completely. “I’m just asking for a few minutes of your time. Please, Syd. If I ever meant anything to you at all, do this one thing for me.”
“If you ever meant anything to me?” I shout, losing the tenuous hold on my control as I shuck out of Gio’s hold. “Fuck you, Jared King.” I shove him, letting the full extent of my pent-up anger run free. “You were my everything! Don’t pretend like you didn’t know that! When did I ever give you the impression I wasn’t serious? I had our whole future mapped out! I even used to imagine our wedding!” I snort out a derisory laugh as I shove him again. “I was so stupid. So fucking pathetic. I let you trample all over my heart, and it almost killed me.”
Pain, sadness, and confusion wash over his handsome face. “Syd, I—”
I cut across whatever he was about to say. “How dare you act like I’m the one who’s in the wrong when you were the one who broke every fucking promise you made to me!”
