Chapter 16
He picked up his shattered phone and stumbled out.[]
His back looked so broken it was almost painful to watch.
But I forced myself to stay cold and kept working.[]
After closing that night, I saw him still standing across the street. The streetlight stretched his shadow out long and thin, like some lost kid.]
I locked up and went upstairs. Didn’t look back.[]
Being kind to the wrong person is just being cruel to yourself.[]
I’d learned that lesson the hard way.]
On the seventh day, it poured. Just like the night he ditched me.[]
Dylan still showed up. Completely soaked, looking like hell.[]
“Sir, you’re dripping all over my floor.” I tossed him a towel, keeping it strictly business.[]
He caught it and tried to dry off. “Avery, it’s your birthday today.“[]
I stopped cold. Oh, he was right.]
I’d been so busy the past few months, I totally forgot.[]
“Happy birthday.“]
He pulled this little jewelry box out of his wet jacket. A bracelet, actually pretty nice.[]
“I remember you always wanted this one.“]
He was right. Senior year, I’d seen this bracelet at the mall. Way too expensive, so I didn’t buy it. Just stood there staring at it through the window.[]
He actually remembered that.[]
“Thanks, but I can’t take it.” I pushed the box back.[]
“Why not?” His voice was shaking. “It’s a birthday present.“[]
“We’re not friends anymore. I can’t accept expensive gifts from strangers.“[]
Strangers.]
That word hit him like a physical blow.[]
Chapter 16
His face went dead white.
“Avery, we’ve known each other for eighteen years. Eighteen years! How are we strangers?“]
“From the moment you called me a leech.” I stated it like a simple fact.[]
He looked like I’d just punched him in the gut. Swayed on his feet like he might pass
“I… I didn’t mean it like that…”
“Doesn’t matter what you meant.” I cut him off. “You said it.“[]
“And you let everyone use it to destroy me.“[]
“And when I needed you most, you chose her.”
Every word hit him like a slap. The tears finally started.[]
This six–foot–tall guy was bawling like a baby in front of my entire coffee shop.]]
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” He kept saying it over and over like a broken record.[]
“Dylan, I got your apology.” I handed him some napkins.[]
“Now get the hell out of my life.“[]
“Just like I got out of yours.“]
“For good this time.”
He broke down completely.[]
Everyone in the shop was staring and whispering.]
My manager came over. “Avery, should I call the cops?“]
I shook my head. “No need. He’s leaving.”
Dylan stumbled to his feet. “Avery, I’m not giving up.“[]
“I’ll spend my whole life making this right if I have to.“]
A
Then he staggered out into the pouring rain. Didn’t even have an umbrella.[]
Just like me that night.[]
out.]
