Page 213 of Swallow Your Sorries

“I haven’t forgotten shit,” Gant goes on. “I’m placing the blame on a new target. The driver who ran my mother and me off the road. The same driver that nearly killed Elle.”

More gasps. More disbelief.

I knew he was shifting his blame. He just hadn’t said it out loud yet.

Does that mean he’s forgiven me?

“When I find that fucker, I’ll do a lot more damage than anything she’s endured here.” His eyes snap back to Rin. “Any other questions?”

Rin’s eyes are full of fire as she glares back at him. “Yeah, a lot. What the hell does this mean, exactly?She’s yours?Does this mean Gant Auclair has an actual girlfriend?”

I stiffen. Girlfriend?!

I can’t be Gant’s girlfriend.

But we can just pretend.

We can just pretend to be his temporary girlfriend for the term.

Is that what he wants though? A title for me other than Doll or Dove? Did I want another title? And what does it mean to be Gant’s exactly?

Not that Rin cares. I know her phone’s recording it all, just like everyone else in the hall. The difference is, that Rin’s making sure to ask all the questions to get the best cut from Beaussip later.

“Girlfriend doesn’t seem sufficient,” Gant says, still gazing at me and my stomach freefalls.

It’s just pretend Clowney.

Just temporary.

“But if we’re labelling it, yes. She’s my girlfriend.”

Stassi and Aria clap giddily and my heartbeat joins them.

“Are you going to ask me?” I croak, suddenly hoarse. “If I even want to be your bubble girlfriend?”

“No, because you already are.”

Before I can roll my eyes, Kesia interrupts as she gets to her feet.

“She can be your whatever, but she’s damn sure not going to become our queen. She’snothing, and she’s nothing to us. Not that you give a fuck. We’re just mindless sheep, right? Or is everyone already forgetting what the fuck he said?”

“I fucking didn’t,” the wavy-haired girl says, throwing down her fork, and all the girls at their table agree.

Rin stands and so do her minions. “If we’re just stupid little sheep, then it’s time we find a new shepherd. I think Beaussip’s right about that revolution. What does everyone think?”

A few more tables stand to show their support.

“I know this moment is the highlight of your life, Rin. Overthrowing a teenage boy from the social hierarchy of a fucking lunch table. But I can’t let you have it,” Gant says, boredly.

“That’s not up to you,” Kesia barks.

“Oh, it is, because before you have your little bullshit revolution, I have an announcement.” Gant squeezes me tighter, before landing a kiss on my temple. “I abdicate.”

‘What?’ the room screeches and I join in.

‘For that raggedy Ann?’

‘She isn’t even pretty.’

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