Page 61 of Spotlight Hearts

The texts start angry, then spiral.

seriously? the bahamas with him?? you really did it. you’re an asshole

you told me it was fake

i gave you space

now you’re on a romantic fucking trip with him??

are you kidding me right now

i saw the pictures from the villa deck. you looked happy. you looked at him the way you used to look at me

was any of it real with us??

or was i just practice until you could have him

answer me, you coward

i loved you

i still fucking love you, and you’re throwing it away for him

he doesn’t even like you. he’s using you for the band. he will do anything to stay on top

you’re going to regret this

call me. NOW.

The last few are just strings of angry emojis and repeated demands.

I stare at the screen until the letters blur.

We’re not together anymore. We haven’t been for a few weeks. But the history is there—years of on-and-off, of knowing each other since high school, of thinking maybe we could make it work someday. I remember the good days: sneaking out to the roof of her parents’ house, laughing until we couldn’t breathe, her head on my chest while we watched the stars.

Those memories hurt now. Because they’re real. And because I know I have to end it cleanly. Kai is in the shower. The water is still running. I have a few minutes.

I hit call before I can talk myself out of it.

She picks up on the second ring.

“Luca.” Her voice is tight, already shaking with anger and hurt. “Finally.”

I close my eyes. “Hey, Whit.”

“Don’t ‘hey’ me. You’re in the Bahamas with him. On a romantic trip. After you told me we needed a break. After you said it was all fake.”

“It was fake,” I say quietly. “At the beginning. But things changed.”

A bitter laugh crackles through the phone. “Things changed. That’s rich. You mean you finally got what you really wanted. Him.”

I rub my forehead. “We’re not together anymore, Whitney. We haven’t been for weeks. You know that. I cared about you—I still care—but it’s over. For real. Even if Kai wasn’t in the picture, it would still be over.”

Silence. Then her voice cracks.

“You used to look at me like that. Like I was the only person in the room. Now you look at him that way. And I’m just…what? The ex you keep stringing along?”

“You’re not being strung along,” I say gently. “I should’ve been clearer sooner. I’m sorry for that. But we’re done. I need you to hear that. I’m not coming back. Not even if things with Kai fall apart.”