I attempt to convince myself. “I guess so.”
How long am I going to let this guy walk in and out of my life whenever he feels like it? I have to be done with him. Out of self-respect. I have to never want to give him another chance.
This has to be over.
Maybe if I repeat it enough, I’ll believe it.
“Listen, Winter, I…” He shifts uncomfortably.
I can hear the bomb explode before it’s detonated. The way he leans closer makes his intentions crystal clear.
“I… I thought I could do this.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I knew I at least owed it to you to try and reunite you with Haze because your happiness is all I want. But… when we got closer at the party, it did something to me, and I couldn’t help but think that you felt it, too. I waited for you to come back from Florida for so long, and if you’re telling me you’re done with him, that you’re ready to let his lying ass go, I have to be up-front with you.”
No, no, no.
Don’t do this to me.
“I still have feelings for you, Winter. I tried to meet someone else, and I promise I had nothing but good intentions at the party, but… I lied. I’m not over you. I think we should give this relationship a try. At least once.
”
“Caleb, I’m so sorry, I don’t feel the same.” I inwardly cringe.
He dismisses me. “Come on, deep down, you know you love me, too. That’s why you let me flirt with you at the party, isn’t it?”
He starts to lean in, and I would’ve pushed him away. I would’ve slapped him without question. He’s wrong. I don’t see him like that. I never will. But the sound of the floor squeaking behind us interrupts me.
I jump and turn around, only to see Haze.
Standing in the doorway with flowers in his hand.
Betrayal spreads across his face.
Shit.
Don’t tell me he thinks…
When he drops the bouquet and takes off, I bounce. I throw my boots on and run right after him. I run and I run, not giving a single fuck that I might catch a cold the moment I step outside. I don’t have a coat on. Or a scarf. It’s snowing like crazy—because of course it is—but I can’t stop.
Conflicting thoughts spin around in my brain. He can’t be mad at me. He abandoned me. He completely destroyed me. So what if I had kissed Caleb? He ripped my heart right out of my chest. He pretended to cheat on me. Then came back only to sneak out after we slept together. Why am I chasing after him?
“Winter, wait!” Caleb shouts from inside my apartment, but I pay him no mind. The elevator closes on Haze two seconds too soon, and I have to run like a crazy person down the stairs I’ve literally never used since I moved here.
I just told Caleb I was done with Haze. And I know if we keep this up, I’ll have to be. But the story isn’t over yet. I rush out of the building, the cold breeze wrapping me up, and spot his distant silhouette through the snow. How’d he get this far so quickly? Maybe it’s your lack of cardio.
“Wait, please!” My voice strains with pain. He keeps walking. “It’s not what you think.” I have a hard time accepting that I’m the one justifying myself. This man will be the death of me.
I catch up to him, and he has no choice but to turn around when I grip his shoulder. I tug on his arm so hard that I almost slide over a thick hidden patch of ice.
“Wait!” My eyes are teary. Snowflakes spread over my lashes, freezing my mascara within seconds.
“Caleb? Seriously?” he snarls, but the rage in his eyes fades when he takes a look at me. “What the fuck? Where’s your coat? You’re going to freeze.”
“I’m not going in until you listen to me.”
“Get back inside,” he insists.
“I said no!”