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He nods like that was the answer he was expecting. Then he looks away, down the hallway. “It’s obvious you’re in love with him.”
Harrison doesn’t even specify who he’s talking about. He says it like it’s obvious—to him, to everyone.
“I…I don’t want to be.” I whisper the words, worried about what truth they hold.
Another nod. “I know. Adams is an even bigger idiot than I thought.”
I flinch when he says Holden’s name.
Something wry and knowing twists Harrison’s expression. “I wish I could be your rebound guy, Cassia. But I like you too much. You’re my first choice, and I’ll always be your second.”
“Holden and I are finished. There’s too much…too much has happened. There’s more hate than love there now.”
“Hate and love are the two most powerful emotions. If you feel both for the same person…”
“You’re saying I’m screwed.”
He quirks a smile. “I’m saying, give Adams hell.”
“He doesn’t…” I look away, because it’s embarrassing to admit. “Things weren’t like that between us. We were just casual.”
“He told you that?”
I nod.
Harrison swears under his breath. “Come on, let’s go downstairs.”
A moan sounds from one of the closed doors we pass. I glance at Harrison and he smirks.
“I’ll set anyone straight who thinks that’s what we were doing up here.”
“You don’t have to.” I doubt Harrison is a crappy kisser. Which means my reaction earlier means my body is not ready to move past Holden. That doesn’t mean he can’t think that I have.
He smirks. “The basketball team is tight. You’re putting a target on my back.”
“Why would the basketball team care?”
“BecauseHoldenwill care, Cassia.”
“I told you—”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sure that’s whathetoldyou. But he lied. Adams has always been a wild card. The fighting, the—”
“What fighting?”
Harrison exhales. “He used to fight for money, down at the old high school.”
I think of all the Friday nights he came home with bruises or bloody. How I assumed it was an errant elbow or a trip or a game that got “heated.”
I feel foolish. Oblivious. Inexperienced.
Did I ever really know him at all?
Right at the top of the stairs, I pause. Lean back against the wall and exhale. I feel the hot tears coming and let them loose. Here, where no one else but Harrison can see.
Harrison looks horrified. And uncomfortable. “Cassia, I—”
I wave his concern away, then swipe at my cheeks. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m just…” I take a deep breath. Wipe away a few more tears. “He never told me. I gave him everything, you know? He gave me nothing.” I sigh. “Sorry. Let’s go.”
