Page 98 of Tag

A quiet laugh vibrated from Ryder’s chest. He shifted just enough to look down at me, slowly letting go.

He stepped around me and turned the lock on the bathroom door before turning and leaning against it. I folded my arms and held his stare, even though my pulse was trying to crawl up my throat. The way he looked at me back at The Pit flashed through my mind.

“Why did you have to bring me in here, Ryder?”

He gave me a half-smile. Dangerous. Almost amused. It didn’t reach his eyes. “It was the safest alternative.”

My brow furrowed. “As opposed to what?”

His head tilted, like I’d asked a trick question. “We’ll come back to that.”

Of course, he wasn’t going to give me a straight answer. Something twisted in my chest, but I didn’t push. His eyes were still locked on mine like he could see every thought flashing behind them.

“Don’t look so unsure. You wouldn’t be in here with me if you didn’t trust me.”

I glanced away, trying to focus on literally anything else than the lack of space between us. “Trust doesn’t mean Iunderstand why you pulled me into a public bathroom, but I’m listening.”

“Good.” His hand lifted, fingers brushing aside a stray piece of hair from my cheek. “You should know by now that when it comes to you, I don’t take chances.”

“What are you trying to say, Ryder?”

He leaned back slightly, but his gaze never left mine. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Oh, shit.

“Nothing you don’t already know,” I answered carefully. “I’m Marked. So are the others. But you knew that already without me having to say it, didn’t you?”

His mouth twitched. “I was still waiting for you to tell me it was made official. Imagine my surprise when I hear it from your soon-to-be ex. In our locker room.”

Soon to be ex? I didn’t remember telling him I was breaking up with Ashton. I was almost positive I didn’t. And as frustrating as it was, I couldn’t be upset with Ashton for letting this news slip.

“I was going to tell you,” I said softly.

“Brooke told me the second she knew.”

Those words felt like a sprinkle of salt on an open wound. “Brooke is your girlfriend,” I replied, keeping my tone level. “Of course, she did. She knows you’ll be her shield. Ashton is mine. Why wouldn’t he—.”

“Say that again.”

I blinked. “Say what again?”

He stepped in, closer, not even a full breath between us now. “That last part.”

I swallowed hard. “I said he’s mine. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

“He’s nothing,” he corrected, voice edged in quiet venom. “A stepping stone at best. Someone I should thank for giving you a chance to feel what it’s like to experience less than mediocrity.”

My breath caught.

He went on, voice softening, which was always worse. “You wanted him to be enough. He never has been. He never will be, because he isn’t me.”

“Where is all of this coming from?” I questioned, unable to pretend any of it was wrong or surprising to hear.

He called me out as if reading my mind. “Don’t act like you don’t know.”

“Even if I do, why are you doing this in here of all places?”

“Because you told him before you told me, and that’s a problem.”

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