Page 95 of The Jealous Girl

‘It just doesn’t make sense,’ Ryan continued. ‘For her to get thrown. And from Atlas at that.’ He sucked in a breath.

‘Atlas,’ I repeated.

Ben’s head snapped up at the sound of Atlas’s name, curiosity etched into his features.

‘Yeah, she often rode him for me. She started when I was away at university, and just kind of carried on.’

A pause.

‘She went out later than usual this morning. Maybe if she hadn’t…’ His voice trailed off.

‘She came to see me first thing.’

‘You?’ Ryan’s voice was edged with surprise. ‘Why?’

‘She wasn’t happy about the social media thing.’

‘Oh. That.’

‘Yeah.’ I snorted. ‘I can’t believe you told her.’

I scolded myself instantly. Now wasn’t the time to think about that.

‘I had to, she’s—’ Ryan stopped abruptly.

‘She’s what?’ I asked, still not entirely sure what she was to him. Or, for that matter, what I was either. After all, he’d called me.

‘We started to get worried when she didn’t come back. We went looking for her.’

Ryan puffed out a slow deep breath.

‘It was—’ he swallowed ‘—bad.’

My chest felt tight. Not with grief… But something.

‘I’m sorry,’ I said sincerely. This time the word was easier to say. It wasn’t about her. It was about him. Being the one who found her. Saw her. Whatever I thought of her, however much I hated her, he didn’t.

‘Are you okay?’ Ryan asked suddenly.

I almost laughed. ‘You’re asking me?’

‘Yeah, I⁠—’

‘Sorry,’ I said, instantly feeling remorseful. ‘It was just strange hearing you ask me if I’m okay, after all that’s happened.’

Another pause. ‘Besides, shouldn’t I be the one asking you?’

‘I’m okay,’ he said, but his voice didn’t sound convincing. ‘Think I’m still in shock,’ he added.

‘Yeah, that’s not surprising.’

‘Can I come and see you?’

I blinked. That was definitely a surprise.

‘Kirsty?’

I hesitated.