Chapter 6
*I’m really sorry, Calista. I didn’t mean to interrupt you two. Tanner’s been in such a funk all day because you’re mad at him.“[]
I had zero interest in her fake concern. Her grip was cutting off circulation–1 yanked my arm free with enough force to send her stumbling.
Harper’s eyes instantly filled with crocodile tears.[]
Tanner, is Calista still upset about me joining your group tonight? I can apologize properly if you want. I hate that you two are fighting because of me.”
She moved like she was about to bow in front of use–the full dramatic performance.||
Tanner’s face went nuclear. He spun around and caught her arm.
“Why the hell would you apologize to her? She’s the one throwing a
a tantrion.“
“Calista, what’s wrong with you? Shoving people around? You owe Harper an apology.”
“You’ll all be at the same school anyway–you should be looking out for each other.“[]
Heat exploded in my chest. My vision went red. “Since you love playing knight in shining a other all you want.”
armor
so much, you two can pr
protect each
I stormed off, ignoring Tanner’s sharp warning behind me: “Calista! You’re way out of line here.”
They didn’t return for what felt like hours.
When they finally came back, Tanner looked like he’d swallowed broken glass, while Harper was all glowing and bashful–like she’d just won the lottery.[
Everyone except Joy immediately started making jokes about their “mysterious disappearance, and during truth or dare, they kept engineering intimate moments between them
Even Tanner’s oldest friends joined in, completely ignoring how this might gut me.
Right. Because in their eyes, I was just Tanner’s pathetic little shadow
Tanner shot me a calculating glance–testing me, daring me to react–before agreeing to play along with Harper
In the past, I would’ve jumped up screaming.[]
Now? I felt like I was watching my own i
Juneral.
Harper had been cheer captain, and with her perfect body, she knew exactly how to command a room]
I cracked open another beer and forced myself to watch as she moved to some sultry pop track, her body practically molded to Tanner’s like they were made for each other
A lazy smile played at his lips
At first he kept glancing my way, waiting for me to lose it and shut down their little show,
thut as Harper’s movements grew more suggestive, he forgot the rest of us existed. His focus locked on her every curve, every roll of
her hips]
The sexual tension was suffocating.
When the song ended, Harper “accidentally tumbled into Tanner’s lap |
Her tight dress had ridden up dangerously high, and the way she straddled him looked like soft–core porn.]
The roo
room exploded in wolf whistles and crude comments.
Harper’s face went scarlet, like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole.[]
Tanner cursed at everyone to knock it off, playing the protective boyfriend.[]
But his hands were already cradling her face against his chest, shielding her from the crowd like she was made of spun glass.
That tender protectiveness, that natural intimacy–it used to be mine.[]
Even though I’d made my choice, watching it happen felt like being slowly flayed alive.
I couldn’t breathe
I slammed down my beer and bolted from the room, my chest tight with rage and heartbreak.]
Joy followed, and we spent the next hour on the street while she unleashed every curse word in the English language about Tanner and Harper.]
She’d been biting her tongue all night, and I’d stopped her from causing a scene multiple times.]
What was the point anymore? After tonight, we’d be nothing to each other.[]
I had no idea how their little performance ended, and frankly, I didn’t give a
damn
When I got home, it was 11:55 PM.
Five minutes until the application deadline.
I collapsed on my bed fully clothed, feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.
I’d be lying if I said my heart wasn’t shattered into a million pieces.
You can’t just flip a switch on eighteen years of loving s
someone
My phone rang–unknown number.[]
I picked up to hear Tanner’s voice, thick with alcohol and something that almost sounded like regret.]
“Hey, Calista come on, don’t be like this: You need to change your application, okay?”
Atlanta’s actually amazing–sunshine, beaches, the whole thing. I’ll take you to those Instagram–worthy spots you’re always saving when we get there.“1
