Page 114 of Trick or Treat Nurse at My Feet
Sylas nods slowly. "I heard some of what he was yelling. It sounded... incriminating."
"But why?" I ask the question that's been haunting me all afternoon. "Why would he go to such lengths? We've been broken up for so long, and we were barely dating as is."
"Some people can't stand to see their exes happy," Sylas suggests. "Especially if they're the ones who ended things."
It makes a twisted sort of sense. Technically, I ended things, but really, it was how he treated me that I couldn't get past. Seeing me openly date someone else, especially someone like Tyler, who wasn't hiding who he was, probably felt like a slap in the face.
"I need to talk to Tyler," I say suddenly, stopping in the middle of the path.
Sylas looks concerned. "Whoa, slow down. We don't know for sure what happened with those photos."
"But if they were fake, if Ryan and Cher set him up—" I can barely form the thought through the rush of emotions. "I accused him in front of everyone. I broke up with him without even listening to his explanation."
"Even if the photos were manipulated, we don't know that Tyler is innocent," Sylas points out gently. "It's possible Ass-hat and Cher did something shady, and Tyler still cheated."
"No, Tyler wouldn't do that. Not to me." Unexpected certainty cuts through my exhaustion.
Sylas studies my face for a long moment. "You believe that?"
"I do," I realize, the truth of it sinking deep in my chest. "The Tyler I know wouldn't hurt me like that. He's... different."
Different. The word I'd thrown at him during our breakup now comes back with new meaning. Tyler is different, not just from other guys I've dated, but from what I feared he might be. He never treated me as an experiment or a secret. He was genuine, open, and caring.
And I pushed him away over something that now looks pretty fishy.
"I need to find him," my hands reach for my phone.
"Tomorrow," Sylas says firmly, placing his hand on my arm. "You're exhausted and bruised; we need to think this through. If you're going to apologize to Tyler, you should do it right."
Sylas makes sense. After everything today, I'm too wiped out for another heavy talk. But I hate the idea of waiting, of letting Tyler think I believe those awful things about him for even one more day. It feels wrong.
"First thing tomorrow," The compromise comes out tired but firm.
Sylas nods, and we call for a ride to Blake's apartment without saying much. By the time we get there, I'm so tired that I barely manage a quick shower before falling into the guest bed. My brain keeps spinning even though my body's completely worn out.
I don't remember falling asleep, but when I next open my eyes, late afternoon light is coming through the blinds. I blink, feeling confused in this strange room, until everything that happened yesterday comes flooding back to me.
Ryan. The confrontation. The police. The realization about the photos.
Tyler!
Sitting up with a jolt, I grab my phone from the bedside table, 5:47 PM. I've slept the entire day away.
"Finally awake?" Sylas asks from the doorway, a mug of coffee in his hand.
"Why didn't you wake me?" I ask, running a hand through my messy hair.
"You needed the rest," he says simply, handing me the coffee. "Besides, campus security called. They want us to come back in on Monday to finish some paperwork. Ryan's been suspended pending a complete investigation."
"Good," taking a grateful sip of the coffee, I ask. "Did they say anything else? About the photos?"
Sylas shakes his head. "Not specifically. But they're taking the whole thing seriously. Stalking and fabricating photos to harass another student violates their misconduct policies."
Placing the mug on the nightstand, as a weight settling in my chest. "Sylas, I made a terrible mistake."
He sits on the edge of the bed, his expression sympathetic. "You were hurt and confused. Anyone would have reacted the same way to those photos."
"Not like I did," I argue, shame washing over me. "I didn't just break up with him. I humiliated him publicly. I refused even to hear his side." Tears spring unexpectedly to my eyes. "And now everyone on campus thinks he's a cheater because of me."
