Page 159 of Unloved

It isn’t that I believe him. But it doesn’t make the pain of hearing someone who once told me he loved me say as much as he can to hurt me.

“I earned my spot on the team just as much as any of you.”

Good.A surge of pride at my quick defense of myself rolls through me.

“And you really think you were here on merit?” He laughs, and I deflate. I’m desperately trying to hold back the tears. But if I cry in front of them, then I’m proving them all right.

“Tyler—”

He steps into my space and tugs lightly on the silk bow tied toone of my braids, and suddenly I’m ten and my teacher is telling me not to antagonize the boys, even though they’re the ones making fun of me.

“You dress like a kid and act like one. I don’t know why I ever thought I could take you seriously as a girlfriend.” He peeks behind him at our entire team and laughs again.

I want to scream. Or cry. Maybe throw up.

“That’s enough,” I spit out, choked by the anger that’s making my eyes water. “Stop it.”

My obvious reaction to him, the engagement with his barbs, only spurs him on.

“No.” Tyler shakes his head. “You should be thanking me for even taking a chance on you. It was never enough for you.”

“You’re trying to hurt me, and youknowyou’re not smarter than me.” I cross my arms, trying to stifle the overwhelming urge to run and hide. To appease him enough so that I can just leave. “So you’re trying to attack, what? My clothing? My previous mistake in datingyou? Grow up and move on, Tyler.”

It’s like I didn’t even speak, his voice only growing in volume to continue over my protests.

“You acted like a slut when we were together, so I don’t think it surprises anyone that you jumped into bed with the school’s whore.”

I can only hear the fury and anger and pain roaring in my ears until it all pushes out of me.

“Considering I wrote your entire research paper that got you into this program in the first placeforyou, I think it’syouwho should be thankingme.”

Someone is trying to get our attention, calling out to both of us, but we’re locked in this face-off. Years of pent-up frustration against one narcissistic circular argument.

“Thanking you?” Tyler sneers, dropping his voice. “You patheticbitch—the only reason you work here is because I vouched for you. Iaskedfor Dr. Carmen to put you in, to consider you for the internship.” He steps closer, all menacing fury. It’s like a switch has flipped and he’s revealed the monster buried beneath the mask of privilege and fake confidence.

“No one ever thought you’d actually make it into the program. Grow up, Ro.”

Tyler pulls the ribbon from my hair on his way past me, clipping my shoulder with his harshly enough that someone shouts.

Matt—Matt is here.

In my corner, just like he promised.

“Get the fuck away from her,” my boyfriend growls, stalking through the room.

I don’t know how long he’s been here, but the second his hand makes contact with mine, relief floods my system like a shockwave. Sinking back until I’m almost in his arms, I let a few tears escape. Because it doesn’t matter that I shouldn’t listen to Tyler. Even knowing I don’t believe a word he said about me to be true, the pain is still there. Still real.

Matt Fredderic’s entrance has only reignited Tyler’s frenzy.

“Did you tell your new little boyfriend about how obsessed with him you were?” he asks, spinning back toward us. It faintly registers that Dr. Tinley is here, too, practically hiding behind her office door, watching us all.

“How you lied about meeting him freshman year? Telling me he was your first kiss?” He barks out a laugh and winks at me. “I mean, I knew you were pathetic, Ro, but—”

“What?”

Matt’s brow furrows and he glances at me, only for a millisecond before he’s back to glaring at Tyler.

“Oh—she’s never told you?” Tyler claps, almost gleeful. “I’d think that would’ve been your first words to him—reminding him that he was your first kiss, freshman year, right? So romantic.”

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