"I love you," I say quietly.
She says nothing.
The door closes in my face.
I stand there in the hallway, the sound of the lock clicking like a gunshot.
Through the door, I hear her sob.
I go to my room and collapse on my bed.
I pull out my phone and start typing. It’s silly to text someone when they’re twenty feet away, but maybe she’ll listen.
Me:I'm sorry.
Me:Please let me explain.
Me:I love you.
Me:I was going to tell you.
Me:I'm so sorry.
The messages sit there, unread. Three dots never appear.
I did this. I destroyed the best thing in my life because I was too much of a coward to be honest.
I think about knocking again, begging, and breaking down the door if I have to.
But I don't. I'm going to respect what she wants. Give her some time to cool down.
And then I’ll grovel.
Chapter Two
SUTTON
Iwake up to sunlight burning through my eyelids and the immediate, crushing memory of last night.
Declan lied to me.
For weeks.
I roll over, and my pillow is damp from crying. My eyes feel swollen, and my throat is raw. I grab my phone to check the time. I have forensic pathology in thirteen minutes.
I don't move.
I can't. My body feels like it weighs a thousand pounds. The thought of getting up, getting dressed, sitting in a classroom, and pretending everything is fine—I can't do it.
I texted my professor some excuse about being sick. Not entirely a lie. My heart is sick. Does that count?
My phone buzzes.
It's Keira.
Keira:How are you holding up?
Me:I'm fine.
