Page 95 of The Truths We Find

“I need to tell you the real reason we broke up.”

“Gavin,” I croak, dread pooling inside me. “What does that have to do with Sam?”

He swallows hard.

“About a week before we were supposed to move to Sacramento, I came home and found Sam sitting on our couch. Waiting for me.”

Chapter 27

Gavin

Ten Years Earlier

I’m exhausted. That job took twice as long as I expected, but the pay was solid—and every extra dollar matters with the move coming up.

In one week, Dani and I will be in Sacramento, starting our new lives while she steps into her dream job.

She still has no idea I’ve been taking journalism classes at night. I haven’t decided if I’ll transfer to a school in California or let it go. For now, it doesn’t matter. What matters is her. Supporting her. Building something together.

I pull into the apartment complex and drag myself upstairs, already fantasizing about a shower and collapsing into bed.

Then I notice the front door is unlocked.

That’s weird. I know I locked it before I left. And Dani said she’d be at the library all night with her study group.

Maybe she finished early.

“Sweetheart?” I call as I step into our tiny living room.

Boxes are stacked everywhere, half-packed chaos from weeks of getting ready to leave.

Then I see him.

A figure sitting on our couch.

It’s not Dani.

I freeze.

“Sam?”

“Afternoon, Gavin. Welcome home.”

He’s wearing that smug, infuriating half smile. The one that makes my hands curl into fists before I can stop them.

“What are you doing here?” My voice is controlled, but only barely. “Dani didn’t mention you were stopping by. And honestly, we’re not really in a position for visitors.” I gesture toward the mountain of boxes. “Plus, she’s on campus all night.”

I head for the kitchen. Needing something to do with my hands before I do something stupid, I grab a beer from the fridge.

If I have to deal with this asshole alone, I’m going to need it. Maybe more than one.

Sam stands and strolls toward the counter that separates the kitchen from the living room. He hops onto one of the barstools like he owns the place.

Like he’s comfortable here. Belongs here.

And he just watches me.

Smiling.