Excerpt
“You said none of it was true.” I tighten my arms over my chest, leaning against the wall, hoping it supports me because this is about to get tough. “That people were spreading lies.”
“They are lies. We’re not dating.”
Ouch.
It’s like I’ve been punched. I know what he’s saying is true, but to hear it from him…and like that…doesn’t make it feel any better.
“You…didn’t think we were, did you?” He pops a brow, sliding his hands out of his pockets as he stands firmly in front of me, his olive hoodie unzipped. Surprise and confusion and something else brew behind his eyes, like he’s adjusting with new information.
Can’t show him I’m hurt.
I press my shoulders back, trying to project the confidence and strength I need. “That would mean I stopped hating you—and I haven’t.”
Pain flickers but disappears a moment later. He sinks his hands back in his pockets, rolling on the balls of his feet again. “You still hate me?”
“Well, it’s only physical between us, right?”
“That’s…what I want to talk about.”
“What?”
“We really should…stop.”
“Yeah?” I ask, tightening my crossed arms further. “And why should I believe anything you say? Last time you said it was a mistake, and you’ve only come on stronger since.”
“I know.” He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s my fault.”
I drop my arms. Is he being serious this time? Does he really want to stop this? Why is that thought agonizing?
“It’s not fair to you.”
My chest constricts, and I can’t believe the words as they tumble out of my mouth. “So, you don’t want to…anymore?”
He glances away. He takes a deep breath like he’s still considering everything. “Probably not smart. We’re enemies, Robin. We had some fun, but—”
“Fine. Get out.”
He stares at me. “What?”
“If we’re enemies, get out.”
“You’re seriously kicking me out?”
“If you’re telling me this has all been a mistake—”
“I didn’t say that. I said it’s not smart.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“No, the fuck it isn’t.” He steps forward, raising his voice a little. “I don’t regret anything, okay? But I also don’t think it’s smart. I don’t do the girlfriend thing and keeping this strictly physical isn’t going to work. And, on top of everything, it’s you—”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He huffs. “It doesn’t make it any easier.”
I push off from the wall and pace in a small circle, everything inside boiling. “So, what, we just pretend none of it happened?” I ask, secretly hoping he disagrees.
“Afraid so.”
Double ouch.
This hurts more than I expected it to. Part of me wants to cry, and I hate that he makes me feel this way, that he’s able to hurt me like this. I stare at him, anger still fueling my words and actions. And maybe it’s the anger that makes me brave enough to ask what I’ve been wondering this entire time. “If we’re enemies, why did you even kiss me?”
He stares back a moment, his face softening. He’s had the answer ready all along; he just didn’t want to admit it. “I was tired of wondering what it would be like.”
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