The house is quiet when we walk in. I drop my bag by the door and take the stairs two at a time.
Sutton's door is closed.
I knock softly. "Sutton? Can we talk?"
Nothing.
"Sutton, please. I know you're upset. I know what it looked like. But I can explain."
Still nothing.
I try the doorknob. Locked.
"I didn't cheat on you," I say through the door. "I would never cheat on you. That photo is not what it looks like. Bree was crying. I walked her to her room. That's it. Nothing happened."
Silence.
I press my forehead against the door. "Please, Sutton. Just talk to me. Let me explain."
I hear movement on the other side. My heart leaps.
"Go away, Declan."
Her voice is cold. Flat. Nothing like the warm, teasing tone I'm used to.
"I'm not going away. Not until you hear me out."
"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear your excuses or your lies or whatever story you've come up with."
"It's not a story! It's the truth!"
"I'm done, Declan. I'm done being the girl who falls for your bullshit. I'm done trusting you when you clearly don't deserve it. I'm done."
"Don't say that."
"We're over. For real this time. Don't call me. Don't text me. Don't knock on my door. I don't want anything to do with you."
"Sutton, please."
"I mean it, Declan. We're done."
I hear her footsteps moving away from the door and the creak of her bed as she sits down.
I stand there for a long moment, my hand pressed against the wood, trying to figure out what to do.
But there's nothing I can do. She won't listen. Won't even look at me.
I go to my room and collapse on my bed.
My phone buzzes. For a second, I think it might be Sutton. But it's just another notification about the photo. Another comment. Another person weighing in on my relationship drama.
How did this happen? How did everything fall apart so quickly?
Two days ago, we were fine. More than fine. We were happy.
Now she won't even speak to me.
There's a knock on my door.
