Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59092 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I laugh for the first time in what feels like weeks. “Did you have to answer another riddle? I hate those fucking questions.”
“Nah, this time I had to save up enough magic dust to break through an enchanted fortress. I must’ve died at least a hundred times before I figured out how to defeat the mages in each room.”
“What rooms?”
He sits back down, his face glowing. Jamie’s happiest when we talk about video games or computers. And, of course, hockey too.
“After you defeat the giant that guards the enchanted fortress, you have to steal the magic from the mages in each room.”
He goes on and on about the game and elaborates in great detail about how he won each level.
I listen without interrupting him. Sitting here with Jamie, shooting the shit, I know I messed up with Bex. Like Jamie, she’s one of the good things in my life. But at this moment, all I can see is the bad.
Chapter Twenty-Six
BEX
Sitting on the floor of my bedroom, I flip open my textbook. Taylor slides along the area rug until she’s next to me, book in hand.
“The assignment is on page two hundred and twelve,” I tell her.
“You know you can talk to me, Bex.” She pats my knee with her hand. “I know this is hard on you.”
“Right now, all I want to do is get through this exam and hopefully pass the class with a B.”
“You have an A.”
“I don’t know how long I’m going to keep it if I don’t get my shit together. I haven’t been focused over the last two weeks.”
“I hate Preston for what he did to you. But I kind of love him for defending your honor.”
“His intentions were sweet.” I peek up from the book, a few tears falling from my bottom lids. “I was happy to see Kellan get his ass kicked by Preston. It’s what happened afterward that’s the problem. Preston may never get into the NHL because of the fight. And I will have to live with the fact that it was all because of me. Because I dated an asshole who did horrible things to me.”
“This isn’t your fault, Bex. Don’t blame yourself. I’ve watched you do it for close to four years. You are the victim. Kellan did those things to you and without your permission.”
“I feel responsible, you know. Like, if I never told Preston about Kellan, then everything would be perfect right now. I told him I loved him, and he rejected me. He asked me to leave the hospital. He hasn’t returned any of the calls or texts I’ve sent over the last two weeks. His friends won’t tell me anything. My dad is in mourning over this. Everyone is treating me differently.”
“I’m not.” She cups my shoulder and pulls me into a hug. “Whatever you need, I will be here.”
My cell phone chimes, and Taylor picks it up. She gasps. “Oh, my God. It’s Preston.”
I jump into action and rip the phone from her hand. Clutching it between my fingers, I hold onto it for dear life, devouring every word.
Preston: Can we talk?
“That’s it?” I look at Taylor, deflated. “No sorry for being a dick. Just… can we talk?”
She frowns. “Maybe he wants to tell you in person.”
“He could have called. Not texted. Two weeks of silence should be ended over the phone.”
Taylor shrugs. “You know how guys are.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
“So, what are you gonna do?”
I stare at his message. Why am I so disappointed? Did I think he would say more? But I deserve more. After two weeks of ignoring me, he could have made a grand gesture, at least attempted to make things right.
“No.” I drop the phone to the floor and push it away from me. “He made me wait. Why should I run back to him with open arms? If he wants to talk, he knows where to find me.”
She laughs. “There’s the old Bex Bryant I know and love. You’ve gone soft since you got together with Preston. I’m happy to see you’ve returned.”
The library is so quiet I can hear myself breathe. Late at night, no one is ever around. I prefer it this way. Even the librarians seem to disappear into the dark recesses of the building.
It’s creepy silent, so I pull out my earbud headphones. Angry punk rock music fills my ears. With each second that passes, I become more relaxed, more focused. I lift my cell phone from the table to switch over to another playlist. And when I do, another text comes in from Preston.
I ignore it, same as I have done for the past three days. He hasn’t earned an immediate response. Not after he kept me waiting. I think of his hockey T-shirt, the one I stained with mascara from crying so much on it. I clung to his shirt all because it smelled like him. Because no matter what he said, or how he acted, I still love him.