Page 91 of Trusting Tanner
She climbed into the backseat and gave the driver instructions to take her to campus. Then she rested her head on the window and closed her eyes. Before she knew it, the cab was pulling up in front of the administrative building. She paid the guy, thanked him, then got out. Her throat burned with rawness, and she choked back the urge to dry heave right there on the ground.
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other and head toward her class—a class she had with Tanner—mentally chastising herself for not telling Devon the truth. He would’ve picked her up and given her all the moral support she’d need. If this whole situation had taught her anything, it was that there were only two people in the world she could count on—herself and Devon. She took a deep breath and headed across campus.
Halfway to class, she changed her mind and went to the frat house instead, banking on the fact Devon did as he said and went home. Before she could walk in, the door swung open and she came face-to-face with Tanner.
Shit. Why isn’t he in class?
She hesitated, considered turning and running. “Um,” she cleared her throat, “is Devon here?” Every fiber of her being wanted to go to Tanner, to put her arms around him and kiss him. Physical and emotional exhaustion weighed on her.
His eyes narrowed, and he scowled. “You’re here for Devon.”
“Well, I’m sure as hell not here for you.” She winced as the words left her mouth. “Is he here or not?”
“I really wish you’d talk to me, Jules.” He crossed his arms over his chest and continued to block the doorway.
He kept saying that, but what was there left to talk about? She pursed her lips. “I have nothing to say to you, and I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.”
Tanner’s jaw clenched, and the vein in his neck throbbed. She was being unnecessarily mean, but the only way she’d survive this breakup was to stay angry.
“You weren’t in any classes this morning,” he said.
“Nope. Probably won’t be tomorrow, either.” She needed to go see her academic advisor and try to get her class schedule changed. There was no way she was going to suffer through an entire semester of classes with Tanner. “Please let me in to see Devon.” Her resolve was wavering, and she couldn’t stand here with Tanner a second longer.
“Jules?”
She turned around. “Devon.” She sighed, thankful to see him. “I was looking for you.”
“Well, here I am.” He frowned when he saw Tanner standing in the doorway. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Can we go up to your room?” She was quickly losing the battle with her tears, and she absolutely refused to cry in front of Tanner again.
“Of course.”
Finally, Tanner stepped aside, but not before giving Devon a dirty look. That alone was enough to upset her even more, but it was the look he gave her that made her knees weak. His gorgeous eyes were so sad and longing. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, to feel his lips on hers once more.
Devon grabbed her hand, yanking her from her thoughts, and dragged her upstairs. Once they were in his room and he closed the door he said, “What’s going on?”
Juliana broke down in sobs and told him everything. He pulled her onto the bed and held her as she spilled her guts about Tanner and Rebecca. He never once interrupted or judged. He simply held her and listened. It was exactly what she needed—a shoulder to cry on that didn’t belong to the guy who broke her heart.
When she was finished, they were both silent for several moments. She was certain she’d shed every tear she had, which made her feel a little better. Not much, but she no longer had the gaping hole in her chest she’d had moments ago.
Devon put his cheek on top of her head. “I’m sorry, Jules.”
“What do you have to be sorry about?” She sniffled.
“I pushed you to get back out there and start dating again. If I had just stayed out of it, maybe none of this would’ve happened.”
“This isn’t your fault. It’s his and Rebecca’s. Besides, you know me well enough to know I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I liked Tanner. It would’ve happened with or without you pushing me.”
He sighed. “Maybe.”
“I don’t understand. I mean, why did he cheat withher?” She shook her head, letting her tears soak her face.
“It doesn’t matter who he cheated with. It never should’ve fucking happened.” Devon stood, grabbed a box of tissues, and handed it to her.
“Thanks.” She fidgeted with the tissue box, keeping her head down. “I just think it would hurt less if it had been with someone else. Someone I didn’t know and hate.” Her voice hitched on a sob.
“You don’t believe that, do you?” Devon sat beside her again.
