My heart sinks because I know he just blew up our friendship.
Pressing my fingers into my mouth that’s still craving his, I murmur, “Oh my god.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”
Still shaking my head, I cut him off. “No.”
What the hell is happening. My vision blurs as tears well in my eyes. “That was cruel.”
He opens his mouth, but I don’t let him speak. “How dare you play with my head like that? I thought you were my friend!”
I admitted that I have feelings for him, and he kissed me only to take it back immediately. I feel betrayed and humiliated.
With his lips pressed tightly together, he stares at me.
My bottom lip trembles. “Don’t ever speak to me again!”
When I start to leave, a crowd has formed. JT gives me puppy-dog eyes, and I feel like a fool. My cheeks are on fire, making the tears feel cool.
“What’s wrong?” Shane grabs my shoulders. Then he glares at Gabriel. “What the fuck did you do?”
Gabriel storms off.
“Come on. I’ll take you home.” JT grabs my hand, guiding me out of the building as Shane takes off after Gabriel.
Once we’re in the truck, I break down. I just want to get out of here. I don’t want to stay in this stupid town this summer. I hate it here, and I hate Gabe. I convinced myself he was someone else with me, but he isn’t.
“You okay?”
“No, not really?”
“He didn’t mean that.”
“It sure sounded like he did.”
“Listen, I know this isn’t gonna make you feel better, but I’m gonna say it anyway. Gabe’s a great friend, but emotionally, he’s a child.”
“Well, he wasn’t a great friend to me,” I mutter, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand.
“True, but I don’t think he really wants to be your friend.”
“Obviously.” I roll my eyes.
He doesn’t want to be anything to me.
“No. I mean, he obviously wants more than that.”
Snapping my head toward him, I bite, “Is that why he humiliated me?”
“Well, no. He did that because he’s an idiot. You don’thave to forgive him, but mark my words, he didn’t mean any of that.”
When I don’t respond, he says, “I’m sorry, though.”
“I just want out of this stupid town.”
26
GABE
