Page 112 of The Sweetest Revenge

For a moment, I hated how my voice betrayed me, how obvious it was that she wasn't just another girl to me.

He groaned, recognition dawning in his eyes. "Man, I was just mad." He rubbed his throat, voice raspy. "Truthfully, I never really even liked Ariella. I liked someone else, but because of the stupid rules, I couldn't date her."

"Who?" I narrowed my eyes skeptically.

EJ hesitated, rubbing his neck. "Lauren Taylor."

"The skater?" The name caught me off guard. Lauren was the ice queen. She only dated hockey players, but maybe that was because of the rules.

He nodded, a flash of vulnerability crossing his face. "We met last summer during a community service thing for the school. Your little stunt with Ariella—" His voice lowered. "It made everyone realize how stupid the team-dating rule was. So thanks for that, I guess."

I studied his expression, looking for any sign of deception. The way his eyes met mine wasn't the look of someone constructing a lie.

I didn't respond, but I believed him, plus he knew the consequences of hurting Ariella now.

"If we're done here," he panted. "I would like to get my workout in before everyone gets here."

"As long as we're clear." I held his gaze, unwavering.

He nodded a single sharp movement. "Then we're done."

EJ backed toward the locker room, eyes never leaving mine until the door swung shut between us.

I waited, counting my heartbeats as they slowed. Ten. Twenty. Thirty. Only then did I allow myself to turn away.

My footsteps echoed against the polished floor. The adrenaline that had fueled me moments ago began to recede, leaving behind a hollow satisfaction. A small smile tugged at my lips. EJ was many things—arrogant, impulsive, and desperate for approval, but he wasn't stupid. The fear I'd seen flash in his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

Ariella was safe now.

At least from him.

As the tension drained from my shoulders, I rounded the corner and froze. There she was, leaning against the wall, echoing my earlier stance.

A slow smirk spread across my face, masking the chaos of emotions beneath. "How did you know I'd be here?"

"I told you he was all talk," she said, ignoring my question.

"Whether he was or not," I forced a cocky smile and tilted my head. "I wasn't willing to take a chance." I stepped forward into her space. My hands curled around her hips. "But I don't think we have to worry anymore. His attention is on someone else."

"I was never worried," she smiled, but the slight quiver in her voice betrayed her.

My hands trembled slightly as I cupped her face. My thumb traced her bottom lip, and I watched her eyes soften.

"The thought of anyone touching you, frightening you, hurting you—" My voice broke. I couldn't finish the sentence. It left me raw and exposed in a way that terrified me more than any confrontation ever could.

"I will never take the chance," I whispered, forehead pressed to hers, my breath mingling with hers, "when it comes to someone hurting you."

What I didn't say: I'd already failed at this once. I wouldn't fail again.

There was a long pause, and we both knew I wasn't just talking about EJ anymore. The thought of what my mom could have done still made my stomach churn.

"Did you decide if you were going to go see your mom?" Ariella's voice softened, her fingers gently squeezing mine.

I dropped my hands, feeling the familiar tightness in my chest whenever my mother was mentioned. The hallway suddenly felt too small, too confining.

A week ago, I got a message from my mother that she wanted to see me. She wanted the chance to explain herself.

When I saw her handwriting on the envelope, something calcified inside me. Each word I'd read had turned the key in that lock one more turn until it was sealed shut. I'd watched my hands tear the paper into confetti, each piece falling into the trash. Some doors weren't meant to be reopened.

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