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She is apologizing about Riggs.
“I can’t,” I whisper before I let my head slowly twist to face Riggs who looks broken. Completely and utterly broken. Shoulders sagged forward, eyes fixated on mine and I swear I see the hint of tears forming in his pretty green eyes.
He takes one step forward which causes me to take one step back.
“Fuck you Riggs,” my voice trembles. “I fucking hate you. I HATE you.” Viciousness laces my tone.
“Hurts doesn’t it!” Riggs shouts back, storming towards me but I hold my hand up, stopping him, his eyes fall to my open hand.
“Don’t,” I threaten, my voice trembling, shaking.
“Aspen.”
“Don’t,” sobs break through and I am humiliated.
The commotion that was unfolding just minutes ago settles just like the kick up of dust. I hear Harlow step towards me and rage burns through my veins.
“I don’t even want to look at you,” I cover my mouth with my hand before I turn away, the hot tears burning my cheeks. “I was waiting until later tonight to tell you all, but seeing as our group has just been ripped apart, I guess it doesn’t matter much anymore. I may as well do it now.”
All sets of eyes are on me. Austin is disheveled and crumpled. Tripp can’t even look at anyone but me. Riggs just stands, hands on hips and I can see the pain that is etched into his expression. Pacey is pacing, but his eyes don’t defer from mine and Harlow is frozen next to me.
“I got into Cornell. I’m done. I’m out and what perfect fucking timing,” I throw my hands up, shaking my head from side to side as I step forward, pushing past Riggs ignoring the urge to turn and face him. I push past Pacey and Austin next.
“Aspen!” Austin calls out and I hold my hand up, flipping them all off.
Within seconds, Tripp is next to me, wrapping his arms around my shoulders and that’s when I crumble, sobbing uncontrollably into the darkness.
I’m not out herewith my memories long when I hear the sound of trucks, but not just any trucks. The Rivera Ranch trucks. Sand colored Dodge Rams, with black rims, grills and matte stripes across the hood but they’re a lot more beastly than Conrad’s. You know these trucks as soon as you hear them. Everyone knows their trucks.
I stiffen in my seat, silently praying that only Austin gets out the truck. But, both the engines cut and the lights turn off.
Of course they do.
I hear Austin laughing, the truck doors slamming shut as Riggs rolls out the driver’s side and Harlow out the passenger side.
Anger burns like wildfire in my belly. Harlow prances towards Riggs, letting her fingers drag across the shoulder of his beaten, black jacket; his dark brown cowboy hat firmly on his head.
He doesn’t look at her.
He looks at me and only me.
My heart flutters in my chest before it crashes and burns in the depths of my empty chest.
Austin comes bowling over, messing up my hair as he rubs his hand back and forth over the top. He has that drunk sparkle in his eyes, his cheeks red and rosy from being in the warmth of the car and now in the icy evening.
Tripp and Pacey climb out the second truck, Pacey a little unsteady on his feet as he walks past Riggs and Harlow and heads straight for me.
I stand, my legs trembling beneath me and I think they’re going to buckle on me at any minute. Austin leans over the porch railings, smirking as he eyes Riggs and Harlow.
“Hello you,” Pacey says with a little smirk and I swallow down the nerves.
“Hello you, back,” I laugh a nervous giggle as he steps closer and swoops me in for a cuddle and once my feet are back firmly on the ground he tilts his head to the side as he studies me.
“I’m sorry I was a bit of a douche, was just a little…”
“It’s fine. It must have been a surprise, I wasn’t meant to be here,” I let out a soft snort, “So, how long have those two been a thing?” I whisper, bracing myself for another round of heartache.
“Ughhhhh,” Pacey over exaggerates his groan, “they’re not a thing,” he shakes his head from side to side. “Personally…” Pacey steps closer to me, his lips hovering by my ear, “I think she is just doing it to spike a reaction from you.”
