Page 91 of No One Else

The tears come then, fast and hot, streaming down my face. I bite my lip hard to contain the sob that wants to escape. I have to break up with him. Tomorrow. And preferably before Carter comes over.

Me:Nine a.m.

That should give me time to rip both our hearts out and put on some makeup afterward.

22

Evan

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IPULL INTO NATALIE’Sdorm parking lot in the morning, ready to grovel for forgiveness. I don’t know what the fuck I was thinking last night to punch Carter like that and embarrass her in front of everyone.

Even though the fucker deserved it.

I jog over to the entrance and pause when I spot Natalie leaning against the side of the building, her arms wrapped around her waist, almost hunched in on herself. “Hey,” I say softly, and she startles, seeming to come out of a trance. She makes no move to greet me and I take my cue from her, stuffing my hands into my pockets. I was really hoping she wouldn’t still be angry.

“Hey,” she repeats, bringing her arms up to cross them over her chest. Her eyes have dark circles under them, her face splotchy like she’s been crying. Oh, fuck. That’s not because of me, is it?

I automatically reach for her, needing to soothe her, comfort her, but she takes a step back, putting a hand out between this.

“Evan, there’s no easy way to say this,” she says in a hollow voice, the beginnings of dread stirring in my gut, “but it isn’t working out.”

My body goes stock still, my mind trying to process her words. “What?”

“You-” She pauses to sniffle, taking a moment to compose herself, and it’s like a mask slips over her face. Dispassionate Natalie looks back at me, her eyes bottomless in their lack of emotion. “You went behind my back and confronted Carter after I asked you to leave it alone. Your behavior last night was appalling. You were possessive, jealous, controlling. I don’t want some alpha asshole who doesn’t listen to me. That’s why I have to... have to...” Her composure slips for a second, pain flaring in her eyes before she shuts it down. “I have to break up with you.”

“No,” I shake my head, unable to believe she’s saying what she is. “I came here to apologize, talk it through. We can work this out. I won’t say another word about Carter, no matter what he does...”

I trail off at her stone-faced expression, not giving into a thing I say. “Do you just need time to be mad? I can give you time. But there’s no way I’m letting you throw away what we have.”

“It’s over,” she says calmly, her face expressionless.

This can’t be happening. Literally cannot. “It’s not over,” I shout, slamming my fist against the side of the building. She flinches away from me, her arms coming back down to wrap around her middle, shutting her eyes.

I take the opportunity to move in closer, her sweet scent enveloping me, so at odds with her behavior. “You know that I love you.” She opens her eyes again and takes another step back when she realizes how close I am. “I was defending you. I acted on pure instinct and I’m sorry if it caused you trouble. I’ll go talk to Brittany. I’ll even-” I swallow down the bile that rises up my throat. “I’ll apologize to Carter if you think it’ll help.”

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