Page 109 of The Book Club Boyfriend
“I mean, I didn’t think she’d last this long either,” comes the response, followed by a quiet laugh. “Honestly thought he’d fold after that bookstore stunt. She’s got him whipped.”
“Bet’s still on, though. Week left. You in or out?”
My blood runs cold.
Tyler. Will.
I can’t see them, but I know those voices. That easy, cocky tone. My stomach twists hard enough to hurt.
Bet.
The word rattles around in my head like a dropped marble.
A week left.
They’re still talking about it. Still laughing about it. Aboutme.
And Chase—Chase knew.
The blood drains from my face. I can’t breathe.
I don’t hear what else they say. I don’t wait for Chase to turn back around. I just take a step back, and then another, heart pounding so loud it drowns out everything else.
All I can think is… I knew it.
I knew it was too good to be true.
I push through the front doors like the air inside was choking me.
The night hits sharp and cold, cab horns echo from the street, and headlights streak past. My heelsclick against the pavement as I stalk to the curb, one arm outstretched, trying to hail a taxi with shaking fingers.
It’s New York, so they all keep driving.
“Scarlett—wait!”
His voice slices through the hum of the city, and I squeeze my eyes shut like that might keep the tears in. No such luck.
“Scarlett, stop—just let me talk to you.”
I whirl around. He’s already halfway to me, hair mussed, worry etched all over his face.
“Don’t,” I snap, voice raw. “Don’t come out here and act like this is something we can justtalkthrough.”
His jaw clenches. “Please, just give me a second. I didn’t want it to be like that. Itwasa stupid joke, but—”
“You knew,” I cut in, pointing at him. “You placed some stupid bet with your teammates about me. And yet you pretended it was real between us. You let me walk in there thinking I was—” My voice breaks. “Itrustedyou.”
He steps closer, hands up like he’s calming a skittish animal. “It started before I even really knew you. These guys place bets about literally everything. It’s juvenile, and it meant absolutely nothing. Tyler ran his mouth, and I should’ve shut it down. And I’m really sorry I didn’t—”
“You’re sorry?” I scoff, bitter and breathless. “You don’t get to make me question everything and then tell me it was just some silly game.”
That lands. He flinches.
“Don’t you dare gaslight me into thinking this is nothing.” I wipe a very inconvenient tear from my cheek.
I don’t wait for him to recover. Another cab comes rolling toward us, and this time, I step into the street without hesitation, arm out.
The driver slows, then stops. I throw the door open and climb in, wiping at my eyes as I give him the hotel’s name.
