“I would love to forget what I just saw; unfortunately, I think the image of youfuckingDeclan Sanderson is burnt into my brain forever.”
“Technically, we had just gotten done—”
“Ember, seriously, stop.”
“Cam.”
He turns toward me, and I can’t tell if he seems more angry or disappointed… maybe a little sad. I’m unsure; almost every possible emotion is on his face.
“How long?”
“What?”
“How long has this been going on?”
“Since around Halloween.”
He laughs. He actually laughs.
“I’m so fucking stupid. Thinking this was all about some project when in reality, you were screwing one of my teammates behind my back.”
I don’t bother to mention the fact that we weren’t screwing. That he actually interrupted us after our first time together because I don’t think it’d make the situation any better.
“I just—”
“What, Declan wouldn’t let you tell me?”
“No, actually, he wanted to tell you. He was just waiting until I was ready to tell you.”
“Why?!” He takes a step toward me, crossing his arms.
“Because I was terrified about how you’d react.” I cry. “I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
“Disappointed?Disappointed?!” He scoffs. “You know what’s disappointing? Having your best friendlieto you for months.”
“Cam.” I step forward, but he steps back.
“He’s gonna hurt you,” he says, shaking his head.
“No, he won’t,” I argue. “I trust him, Cam. I know that might be hard for you to believe but—”
“You trusted Tanner too.” His words feel like a knife to the back. “Remember him? The guy you trusted with your heart who just used you as a punch line to a sick prank.”
“Declan’s nothing like Tanner.”
“You thought Tanner was a good guy too. Not the type of guy to hurt you. It’s easy to believe that until it happens.”
“That’s not fair.”
“You told me you’d never date another guy like him after he played you. But you went and found the guy who learned from him. Do you honestly believe that Declan wasn’t aware of Tanner’s antics freshman year?”
“I don’t.”
“Then maybe Mom was right. Maybe you’re a naïve little girl who doesn’t know shit about the real world.”
“You mean when my life was destroyed freshman year, that wasn’t me dealing with the real world?”
“Yet here you are, repeating the same mistakes. At least Declan will be telling the truth when he tells the whole campus he got you into his bed.”
