Page 72 of Bitter Lies

Griffin thinks I’m a liar who craves attention, and I think he’s a psychopath. What a misguided pair of idiots.

“Halsey.”

Closing my eyes, I speed up at his deep voice, but of course, I’m not as fast as Mr. Football Player.

Grabbing my arm, he turns me toward him, demanding, “What happened back there?”

Smiling sadly, I say, “I spoke my truth, but I guess it was all lies.”

“C’mon, Halsey, this was a stupid assignment. At least I didn’t fucking call you a heartless dick.”

Raising a brow, I laugh, wiping my eyes. “You are a heartless dick.”

Rearing back, his eyes darken to a brilliant green as he looks me over with a pained expression before his mouth curves at the corners. “Fine.”

Ignoring him, I walk away, and thankfully he doesn’t follow as I wander aimlessly and cry silently, the darkness I fight daily pushing at the corners of my vision. Eventually, I drop to a seat and blankly watch the students around me, only stirring when Miranda approaches me, and idly I realize I’m sitting in front of the coffee shop.

“Halsey?”

“Hey,” I say dully.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really,” I mumble.

“Can I help?” she asks.

Looking into her eyes, I see nothing but sincerity shining back at me. She’s been a little sketchy with her misdeeds, but I sense she’s always been kind for the sake of kindness.

“I don’t know.”

“C’mon, let’s go back to my room.”

∞∞∞

Lying on the bed beside Miranda, I shift and turn to her where she’s watching television. This after she tried to pry the information out of me, but I refused to speak it. Now she’s giving me space, and I appreciate it, but I can’t contain my curiosity.

“Why did you sleep with my brother?”

“Oh,” she says, whipping her head around before lowering her eyes. “I don’t know. Maybe to get back at Griff, but it doesn’t seem to matter. He’s not interested, either way.”

“And Max?”

“Your brother isn’t in love with me,” she says dryly.

“Hm.”

“Seriously, he used me just the same, except I don’t think Griffin has any clue.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well, I’m not sure Griffin even knows about your brother,” she says.

“Knows what?” I ask, sitting up in the bed.

“Yeah? Didn’t you know? He’s clearly hung up on Griff.”

What the fuck? No…?

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