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His expression is carefully neutral. “I thought youwereonly friends with him.”
“I was the last time you and I talked. But things have changed since then. And you didn’t actually answer my question.”
He makes a scoffing sound. “I don’t know how you could even accuse me of something like that.”
So that’s how he’s going to play it? Straight up denial? “You were the only one with access to my phone. And since you’ve made it obvious from the beginning that you don’t like him, the motive’s pretty clear, too.”
He shakes his head. “Did he put this idea in your head? The guy’s brainwashed you.”
“It’s not brainwashing when there’s physical evidence on his phone.”
“How long have you known me? A year? And you met him a month ago. How can you believe him over me?”
“You still haven’t answered the question,” I grit out.
He chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind. Why bother asking me, then?”
“Because I want to know why. What would possess you to steal my phone out of my bag and tell lies?”
His gaze flashes with defiance. “Why are you sexting him asking him to lick your pussy?”
The air between us hangs heavy, thick with tension as my cheeks redden. Well, that was a confirmation, at least.
“That was a private conversation. Our relationship is none of your business.”
“You made it my business when you got involved with someone from the study.”
“I told you before, it has no impact—”
“What, because he’s got fucking muscles you lose your mind over him? He’s not good enough for you, Tessa.”
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere, even if he’s acting crazy. “And you think you are?” That’s what it boils down to, right?
He stands taller, his chest puffing out the slightest bit. “Yeah, I know I am. I’ve been waiting in the wings for you all this time and you haven’t looked twice in my direction.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Well, for starters, you never told me. How am I supposed to read your mind? And you’ve got some image of yourself as the nice guy, but you’re not.”
His brows narrow. “Yes, I am.”
“You talk over me, you don’t listen to me, you’re negative and critical.” I tick each point off on my fingers, growing angrier the more I go on. “My God, you’ve brought me coffee for a year when I’ve said so many times I don’t drink it. And then somehow guilt me into thanking you for it.”
His mouth opens and shuts as he formulates a response. “If you had an issue with me about those things, you should have told me. I can fix them. I can change. I deserve a chance.”
Is he serious? “Joel, I can never trust you again. You sabotaged the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He laughs, a dark sound I’ve never heard from him that sends a rush of uneasiness through me. “He’sthe best thing that’s happened to you? Look, I get that your brain’s full of endorphins from all the sex you’ve been having, but once that wears off, you’ll see he’s some dumb jock you shouldn’t have looked twice at. And you’ll be lucky if I give you another chance after that.”
I stare at him, dumbfounded. Okay, there’s no reasoning with crazy. We’re just yelling at each other and name calling now.
I move past him, but he’s quick, grabbing my arm to spin me back toward him. “I’m not done talking to you.”
A frisson of fear tingles down my spine before I shake it off.
“Seriously, why would you sleep with him?” he demands. “Is it because you stayed with him after the break-in?”
I take a step back, the anger in his voice concerning. “We grew closer after that, yes, but—”
“Fuck.” He slams a hand down on the desk, startling me. “I knew I should have made you stay with me. You were supposed to stay with me.”
