Page 68 of Wanna Bet?

The explanations, the apologies, the excuses. Whatever she had left. Because he'd already heard enough. Hadn't he? The bet. The secret. The humiliation. The realization that he'd been the only person in the room who didn't know what was happening.

He'd spent days replaying every conversation. Every smile, every touch, every moment he'd thought something wonderful was beginning.

Had any of it been real? The question poisoned everything.

His phone buzzed again.

From: Myah

I'm not asking you to forgive me.

Another buzz.

From: Myah

I just need you to let me explain.

Jace closed his eyes and sighed.

Ellis groaned, "You're miserable."

"Thanks." Jace scowled at his friend.

"And she's miserable."

Jace laughed once. Humorless. "Good."

The second the word left his mouth, guilt followed. Because it wasn't true. Or maybe it was. Maybe part of him wanted her to hurt. Wanted her to understand what she'd done. Wanted her to feel even a fraction of what he'd felt sitting there while she confessed.

Ellis leaned forward."Go talk to her."

Jace looked over. "Why?"

"Because whether you stay mad or forgive her, you're not moving on until you do." Ellis frowned, “And your pouting is starting to look pathetic.”

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The drive felt longer than usual. His stomach twisted harder the closer he got. He almost turned around twice.

By the time he parked outside her apartment, he was already exhausted. One conversation. That's all. One conversation. Then he'd decide what happened next.

He climbed the stairs before knocking once. The door opened immediately like she'd been standing there waiting. Which she probably had. She was probably listening for his car.

Myah looked awful and worn down. Her hair was messy. Dark circles lingered beneath her eyes. Her oversized sweatshirt hung from her frame like she'd been living in it. His chest ached at the sight of her. He almost couldn’t take this. If she had been a second slower to get the door, he would have just turned around. Run away. Everything felt raw.

The air between them was charged. Both waiting for the other to start. For a second neither of them spoke. The very sight of her punched all the air from his lungs.

Because despite everything—God, he'd missed her.

The realization made him angrier.

"Hi." Her voice cracked, breaking their delicate silence.

He didn't reply, Myah moved back and swept her arm inside, inviting him in. Jace stepped up and closed the door without responding. The apartment felt strangely quiet without music playing. Without her talking. There was just tension, everywhere. This was awful.

Myah rubbed her palms against her legs. Like she was nervous. Jace’s breath was picking up pace, like he was nervous. He didn’t need to be nervous. He was supposed to be pissed.

"I didn't think you'd come."