Page 98 of Trusting Tanner
She sighed. If only that were true. “Whatever. Look, I really need to go before I’m late.”
“Fine. Go on. Get to class. I’ll catch up with you later.” He turned and walked away.
Juliana stared after him for a moment. Was there any truth to what Xander said? Was it possible this was nothing more than a huge setup?Or do I want that to be the case so much that I’m just fooling myself?Forcing the silly thoughts from her mind, she headed to class. But she couldn’t fully shake the doubt he’d planted in her head. Had Tanner been honest when he said he didn’t remember anything? Either way, every time she thought about letting him back in, it paralyzed her with fear. She didn’t trust him, and she wasn’t sure she ever could again.
Chapter Thirty-Five
The days turned into weeks, and things with Juliana weren’t any better. Despite all his efforts to be her friend, he hadn’t made any progress. She’d agreed to hang out in group settings, but Devon was always present, too, hovering around like her personal bodyguard, which made it damn near impossible to talk to her. But giving up wasn’t an option.
And now, to make matters worse, Thanksgiving was in three days, which meant he wouldn’t see her at all for almost a week. Talk about depressing. He’d truly thought he would be bringing her home and introducing her to his parents. How had things gone so wrong?
With a heavy sigh, he trudged across campus for his last class before break. He should’ve skipped. As he approached Reinbeck Hall, he noticed Devon making a beeline toward him. Tanner’s muscles tensed, and he mentally prepared himself for another fight, although that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Got a minute?” Devon asked, coming to a stop in front of Tanner.
“That depends.” He folded his arms. “What do you want?”
“I want to talk to you about Jules.”
His stomach dropped. “Is she all right?” The immediate, intense concern that rocked through him was dizzying.
“As good as she can be…considering.” Devon frowned. “Look, she told me about everything, and while I don’t know what actually happened with you and Rebecca, I would hope you’re not that fucking stupid.”
“I didn’t have sex with her.” He nearly growled the words. How many times was he going to have to proclaim his innocence before anyone believed him?
“I know Rebecca’s reputation, and I’ve told Jules repeatedly that something about this isn’t right, but she swears she has proof.” He shook his head as if he didn’t quite believe that.
Tanner tilted his head. Why wouldn’t Jules have shown Devon the pictures?
“I thought she was a mess after Zach, but that was nothing compared to this. She’s utterly heartbroken.” Devon shifted on his feet and adjusted his bag on his shoulder.
Tanner’s heart splintered. “Why are you telling me this?” It’s not like he didn’t already know. He’d seen her in classes, seen the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, noticed the spark gone from her voice, the absence of her laughter. Every damn day he had to walk around with the guilt and the shame for how he’d hurt her. He didn’t need someone else to point it out to him.
“Because I’m tired of seeing her like this. I hate knowing how much she’s hurting, and I want to do something to help.”
Tanner’s eyebrows shot up. Was he being serious? “Are you saying you want to help me get Jules back?”
Devon nodded. “She’s too stubborn to admit it, but I know damn well she wants you back. But you have to understand how hard this is for her. Her whole life people have been turning their backs on her, and then Zach came along and destroyed what little confidence she had.” He sighed. “She took a huge leap of faith trusting you, and she feels like you betrayed her.”
“I know.” Tanner dragged his hand through his hair. “I wish I could explain what happened, but I swear to God, I don’t remember anything.” A sharp jolt of anger shot through him, and he clenched his fists to ease the desire to punch the brick building. “I know what she’s been through. She told me everything. I never meant to hurt her.”
“I know you didn’t, but shit happens.” Devon shrugged.
“So, how do I make things right with her?” He never thought he’d be having a heart-to-heart talk with Devon and asking for his advice. But Tanner wasn’t going to turn his back on the only link he had to her.
“Keep doing what you’ve been doing. I know it probably doesn’t seem like it, but you are getting through to her. It’s just going to take more time,” Devon said.
That’s not what he wanted to hear, but it was better than nothing. “What’s she doing for Thanksgiving?”
“Staying here.”
Tanner’s jaw dropped, and he paced a few steps away, lacing his hands against the back of his neck. It had hurt less when Devon had punched him in the jaw. She was going to spend another holiday alone? Tears burned his throat, and he swallowed hard. This was all his fault.
“I’ve been trying to convince her to come home with me but—”
“Go home with you?” Tanner spun around. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah,” he said defiantly. “Now pull the stick out of your ass and listen to me.” Devon took a step closer. “Jules is my best friend, and I consider her family. But that’s where it ends. There has never been anything romantic or sexual between us, and there never will be.”
