Page 54 of The Summer We Played Pretend

Brendan’s eyes flash with something dangerous—anger? Jealousy?

"Chloe?” One of the waitresses motions to me. “Table twelve needs refills."

"Coming!” I set the jug down and hustle to make the refills, but Brendan is still hanging around when I return with the empty glasses.

“I’ll help with that.” He flashes a smile and snatches the tray from my hands.

“Brendan, I need—”

He walks away before I can grab the tray back, forcing me to follow.

"Everyone's talking about you two." He leans closer, his breath hot on my ear as I try to reclaim the tray. "Funny, I never pegged you as the type to move on so quickly."

"People change, Brendan," I say, reaching for the tray as he twists away. "Besides, you're hardly one to talk about moving on quickly."

"At least I was honest about it. Everyone thinks you were cheating on me with Jackson.”

The accusation hits me like a slap. I grit my teeth. “Everyone?”

Brendan shrugs, waving the tray like a taunt. "Yeah, seems like you two look like you’ve been at it for a while."

I snatch the tray back. "You don’t get to judge me, Brendan. Not after what you did."

Brendan’s jaw tightens as he steps closer. "Come on, Chloe. You really expect me to believe there's nothing weird going on? You and Jackson? It just doesn't add up."

I grip the tray tighter, willing my hands not to shake. The clatter of dishes and murmur of diners suddenly feels oppressive, closing in around me. I take a deep breath, steeling myself.

"There's nothing to 'add up,' Brendan," I say, keeping my voice low. "Jackson and I are together. It's that simple."

He lets out a harsh laugh. "Simple? Please. A guy like Jackson would never be interested in someone like you." His eyes rake over me, making me feel exposed. "Face it, Chloe. He’s not going to stick around once he realizes you’re just a naive little virgin."

For a split second, I’m Brendan’s girlfriend again, worrying about whether I’m wearing the right thing or if he’s pissed off at me. But one thing is for sure—this breakup has revealed his true colors.

“You know what,” I say, snatching the tray back, “you’re right. It doesn’t add up. It’s really weird that I ignored my feelings for Jackson all this time, but thank goodness, I finally figured it all out.”

“He won’t stay,” Brendan spits. “He’ll get fed up with waiting like I did—”

“And cheat on me?” I shake my head. “Not every man is as weak and as pathetic as you, Brendan.”

My words hang in the air, a tense silence settling between us. Brendan’s face reddens, his fists clenching at his sides.

“You’re making a big mistake, Chloe,” Brendan sneers. “Jackson may play nice now, but he’ll show his true colors soon enough. You’ll regret this.”

I lift my chin. “I very much doubt that. Jackson treats me with respect and kindness—something you never understood.”

Maria’s voice cuts through the tension. “Chloe, Brendan. Office. Now.”

My stomach drops. I’d been so caught up in standing up to Brendan, I’d forgotten we were in the middle of a shift. As we follow her to her cramped office, I can feel the curious stares of coworkers burning into my back.

Maria closes the door behind us. “Whatever’s going on between you two, leave it outside. This is a workplace. Got it?”

“Yes,” we mumble in unison.

As we shuffle out, Brendan shoots me an angry look before heading to the kitchen. I grab my serving tray, determined to throw myself back into work. I can’t believe I let Brendan get under my skin.

The rest of my shift passes in a blur of forced smiles and dodging Brendan’s glares. By the time I hang up my apron, a nagging worry lingers in my stomach. What if Brendan figures out we were faking it initially?

“So what if he does?” I mutter to myself as I climb into my car. It doesn’t matter now. We’re together—officially. Whatever anyone else says can’t change that.

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