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So I’m stuck until I can find a way out of this.
As I walk to my class, I keep my gaze downward. My eyes are bloodshot from crying too much, and I don’t want anyone to ask questions. At this point, a well-meaning, “Hey, is everything okay?” is going to tip me over the edge again.
I’m just walking past the fountain in the center of campus when I run straight into Wes. His arms are crossed, and he has Cal and Kellan standing on either side of him.
Relief fills me at the sight of them. There’s no way I can tell them what happened, but we’ve gotten closer over the past two weeks. They’ve become a safe haven for me since getting here. I can be myself around them, and I can let go in ways I’ve never been able to before.
It’s the exact type of freedom I was hopingto find.
“Hey.” I wrap my arms around Wes’s waist, letting the scent of pine and leather wash over me. It’s become one of my favorite things over the past couple weeks.
Wes shoves me off him. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I stumble backward but catch myself before I fall. “Um, giving you a hug?”
Kellan scoffs. “Typical. I told you, Wes. Just another manipulative bitch.”
“W-what?” I ask. “Why would you say that?”
“Don’t play stupid with us,” Wes snaps. His gaze is razor-sharp, but underneath the anger, there’s hurt.
Problem is, I don’t know why.
“I’m not,” I say slowly, “but I’ve got no clue why you’re upset.”
“Really?” Wes drawls. “I don’t like being used, Harper. You played us real good for a couple weeks, but that ends now.”
The fuck?
I glance between the three of them, but the same stone-cold look is on all of their faces. Finally, I say, “I didn’t use you. I don’t know—”
“Save it for someone who cares.” Wes pushes past me, knocking his shoulder with mine.
I grab his arm. “Wait! Wes, I don’t—”
“I don’t want to hear another word from that lying mouth of yours. And it’s Wesley to you.” He yanks his arm free and walks off.
Cal and Kellan brush past me, but then Kellan stops and turns back to me. The venom in his voice causes goosebumps to cover my skin.
“No one hurts him and gets away with it.No one.”He places a hand on the center of my chest and shoves backward.
It’s then that I realize I’m too close to the fountain. Kellan pushes me hard enough that I fall over the edge and into the water. It’s freezing, and I’m instantly soaked.
When I look up, Kellan is watching me with that twisted grin of his. Except this time, the care for me that’s usually in his blue eyes is gone. All that’s left is cruel pleasure.
“Kellan,” Wes barks. “Let’s go.”
“Watch your back,” Kellan tells me. “You’ll pay for this.”
I don’t move, not until he and the boys are out of sight. A few people ask me if I’m okay, but I ignore them. My whole world feels like it’s collapsing, and all I can do is watch.
Firsthim.
Now them.
Maybe I was wrong in thinking that Wes and Cal offering to help me move in was a sign that the universe was watching out from me. Maybe I should’ve trusted my gut and told them no. Because this—the lump in my throat, the ache in my chest, and the sting in my eyes—isn’t how you’re supposed to feel two weeks into college.
I’m almost back to where I started. Other than Haven, I’m completely alone, and this time, I’m not stupid enough to think the universe has my back.
