#BeenThereDoneThat
#YoureTooGoodForHim
My jaw clenches so hard it hurts. I scroll through the replies. Most people are defending Chloe. Telling Ashley to move on. Calling her out for being bitter.
But there are enough supportive comments on Ashley’s post to make me sick.
@kira.K.33: For real girl, you tried to warn us
@AJOutdoors: He seems shady tbh
@L.Evergreen: Poor Chloe, she seems so sweet
Chloe doesn’t deserve any of this.
This is my mess. My past. Following Chloe into her present. She doesn’t deserve Ashley’s bitterness. Doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage in someone else’s vendetta.
What was I thinking? I should have responded to her texts. Should have told her what that kiss meant instead of running like a coward.
My phone is in my hand, and I’m scrolling to her contact before I can stop myself.
This is a bad idea. Terrible idea. It’s eleven p.m. She’s probably asleep. Or busy. Or over me.
I call anyway.
It rings. Once. Twice. Three times. Maybe she won’t answer. Maybe she’s finally moved on from my?—
“Hello?” Her voice. Slightly breathless. Like she ran to get the phone.
And just like that, I can breathe again.
“Hey,” I say. “It’s me.”
“Hey.” There’s something in her voice. Careful. Guarded. “What’s up?”
Right. I’ve been ignoring her for a week, and now I’m calling at eleven p.m.Hey! It’s me. Smooth, Kane.
“I just—” I stop.Conrad said to be real. I drag in a breath. “I wanted to hear your voice.”
There’s silence on the other end. I can hear something in the background. Music, maybe. Or a TV.
Then, “Are you okay?”
Be real. Be honest.
“Yeah. Fine.” He shoots. He misses.
“Brody.” She says my name like she can see right through me. “I watched your games. You got into two fights in three games. That’s not fine.”
I close my eyes. Of course she watched.
“It’s been a rough week.”
Her voice softens slightly. “Are you hurt? That hit tonight looked bad.”
I look at my wrapped hand. The bruised knuckles. Touch my left eye gently—still tender, still swelling. “Nothing serious. Just bumps and bruises.”
“You don’t have to pretend it’s all okay, you know.” She pauses. “I’m still bound by our contract. Your secrets are safe with me.”
