I turn down the music and listen.
Silence.
I should feel relieved.
Instead, I just feel empty.
My phone buzzes—a text from Keira.
Keira:You okay?
Me:No.
Keira:Want me to come over?
Me:I just want to be alone.
Keira:Call me if you need me—any time.
Me:I will.
But I won't because talking about it makes it real. And if I pretend hard enough, maybe I can convince myself that none of this is happening.
Chapter Three
DECLAN
Yungblud is in my ears as I jog around the track. He’s singing about being a zombie. That’s me. I feel like a zombie. I’m up way too early. I had to find a way to work through the pain.
After pushing myself too hard and knowing without a doubt I’m going to be feeling the extra workout at practice today, I head home to shower.
My head is clear.
I know what I have to do.
I find Bree in the library.
She's sitting at a study table with her laptop open, looking perfectly put together in designer athleisure. Her hair is in a high ponytail, and her makeup is flawless. She looks up when I approach and has the audacity to smile.
"Declan! You look gorgeous."
And we both know that’s bullshit. I look like I’ve been gutted with a rusty spoon.
"Outside. Now."
Her smile falters. "What?"
"I said outside. Unless you want to have this conversation in front of everyone."
She glances around at the other students, then closes her laptop. "Fine."
I lead her to a quiet spot behind the building where no one will interrupt us. Unlike her, I don’t appreciate having the attention. I don’t want the drama. That’s her thing. She’s always on a stage in her mind.
"What's your problem?" she asks, all innocence.
"You know exactly what my problem is." I pull out my phone and show her the photo. "This. You staged this whole thing."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
