Page 56 of Breakaway Hearts

“You read smut in the bath,” he calls me on it, which…fair.

“Dragons don’t always mean smut,” I argue. “Your mom actually recommended this one.”

“Nope,” he stops me, then looks defeated. “You’re really busy?”

“I thought you’d be gone,” I agree.

“I shouldn’t go,” he says confidently, but he looks like he’s waiting for me to agree, and I can’t.

“Totally up to you, but I won’t be here,” I lie. Unless he insists on dropping me off. Fuck, do I actually have to get dressed now?

“I’m going to be late.”

“I’ll put this away, you go,” I assure him.

“You’re the best.”

He kisses my temple before getting changed and rushing out, but I feel like the absolute worst.

An hour after he leaves, I’m cuddled on the couch in my thick, comfy pjs, wearing the ‘serial killer facemask’, my toes propped up with foam dividers so the baby blue polish doesn’t smudge, watching a trashy reality TV show I’m not really into, but at least I know Jay won’t be upset I watched it without him. We may be a little too codependent.

This is good. Him getting out there, having friends that aren’t me…even if they’re athletes. Statistically, I know probably not all of them are like Trevor. But they could be. Or they could be the type to stand back and let it happen so they don’t rock the boat, which is almost as bad.

They could also be like Jason, not like I’d ever know. Not with certainty.

Another hour and I’m back to studying, working on that paper, and a wave of loneliness hits me.

Jay

Still at the library?

It could be a test, because we share our locations, but he wouldn’t be asking unless he wanted to stay and not feel bad that I’m alone, or walking home without him.

Me

Back home rewriting the conclusion. Realistically another hour or two left, but it feels like a decade.

Jay

I’ll stay for dessert then?

Me

Enjoy your cheat day!

I grab the carton of ice cream from the freezer and remind myself this is what I wanted.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Madison

First college shutout

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1…shutout!” Tab cheers with me as the game ends. Two-nothing, but Jay stopped thirty shots, compared to the ten we managed. Not the best game for the Wolves, but my bestie was in the zone.

“I don’t know what’s up with the rest of them, but your dude was on fire.”

“My dude?”