Page 13 of Strong Side
I don’t turn around as I’m walking, but I do lift my middle finger over my shoulder. He laughs as I keep going, but … I’m still shaking.
It’s been three days since my run-in with Trey, and he hasn’t left me alone since. I’m not sure if he somehow found out my class schedule or what, but every time I walk out of class, he’s there. He hasn’t tried to touch me again, and he really doesn’t even say much, but he’s there.
When he does speak to me, it’s as if nothing happened at all. Of course, I don’t reply, but it doesn’t stop him.
Today, he brought me a bouquet of roses, which I refused. I really just want him to leave me alone.
My move, my new roommate situation, and school were starting off so well until I saw him.
My last class of the day has ended, and I’m trying to figure out the back way out of the building to avoid seeing him, if he’s waiting for me again. When I reach the end of the hallway, I look to my left and see a door that doesn’t sayFire Escape, so I walk over and push the door open, thankful that an alarm doesn’t start blaring.
There’s no sign of Trey, but I have to walk around the building and through the courtyard to get to the parking lot where I parked my car today. I glance around me to see if I can see him, but I don’t, so I slow my pace. I pull out my phone to check my texts. I felt it buzz a few times while I was in class. There’s a text from Casey.
Casey: You coming over for dinner tonight?
Noelle: Sorry, I was in class. Yes, I think so.
Casey: Chelsea can come, too, if she wants. We’ll have plenty of food.
Noelle: Who’s cooking tonight?
Casey: Moi.
Noelle: So … we’re having spaghetti?
Casey: Funny. No, we’re not actually. It’s not a carb load day, so we’re having tacos.
Noelle: Yum. Chicken or beef?
Casey: I made both.
Noelle: Do you need me to bring anything?
Casey: We’re all set, pretty girl. See you later.
I like his message and put my phone into my back pocket.
“There you are!” Trey’s hand grabs my elbow.
“Let go, Trey.” I pull my arm out of his hold and start walking quickly again.
He’s walking next to me, and he has a smile on his face. Like he thinks this is funny. “Noelle, Noelle, Noelle. When will you get it in that head of yours that you’re mine? I love you, baby. What you and I had was awesome, and I fucked it up. I hate myself. You’re killing me with how you keep running away from me.”
I stop walking and turn to face him. This sweet-talking. The sincerity in his tone. The way his mouth quirks to the side in a lopsided grin that’s almost childlike. It’s endearing, and it eats away at my heart.
“Trey, you hurt me. I cried for weeks. You cheated on me and looked me in the eye while you fucked my roommate.”
“I know you were upset, and I get it, but that was months ago. You need to get over it. Zoey was just a fuck buddy.”
My brows curve as I tilt my head and step back. “Get over it?” I blanch at his words. I’ve known all summer what a fool I was to be with him, but now that realization is cemented in my heart. “Oh, I’m over it. But you won’t leave this alone. No, I’mnot going to listen to you tell me how much you love me and how much you hated what you did. It’s not worth my time. You’re harassing me at this point, and it has to stop. I’m not falling for your lies anymore. I’ve blocked you from my phone, and yet you’ve somehow found out my class schedule and wait for me after class. It’s got to stop. When areyougonna get that into that head ofyours?” I’m practically yelling now.
He looks around, clearly not liking the vocal rejection in the middle of campus. His sweet demeanor changes to a cocky bravado. “Why would I need to stalk you? I can literally have any girl on this campus. If you knew what you were doing in bed, I wouldn’t have had to hook up with Zoey to begin with,” he snaps in my face, and it makes me flinch.
“The world is your oyster then, I guess. Have at it. All the ladies. Besides, I have a boyfriend. One who loves me, respects me, and wants to take care of me.”
The words barely leave my mouth before I wish I could pull them back.
Because when I said it, it wasn’t him I saw.
