Chapter 8
Bryce was holding a cake.
I thought about it–besides Mom, I hadn’t told anyone where I lived.
He probably figured out the location from my Instagram photos.[]
Bryce looked deeply at my face and said: “You lost weight.“]]
I felt awkward.]
Didn’t have the heart to tell him I’d actually gained 2 pounds thanks to my roommate’s cooking.
“I know you don’t want to see me, but I had to come anyway.”
Bryce pulled out his phone and showed me his chat history.[]
“I already cut ties with River completely. Can you forgive me now?“]
“So what,” I said. “We’re still impossible. Stop bothering me.“]
Bryce completely deflated.]
“Please don’t talk to me like that…“]
He grabbed my hand with red eyes, voice rough:[]
“Hit me if you want. Slap me a few times, whatever it takes to get over it. Just don’t break up with me.“]]
I was really fed up and yanked my hand away, also knocked that cake flying.
“What’s the point of saying this NOW? Where were you before?“]
“Bryce, you kept telling River I had princess syndrome, that I was a crybaby. But you KNEW I was spoiled by my family my whole life. I never dealt with any real hardship except for YOU. I cried countless times because of you, and I still begged you to get back together because I couldn’t let you go.“]]
“You said you were worried I couldn’t get into a good school, so even though you could’ve gotten into better places, you picked one I could reach. You know how happy that made me? I was ready to stay with you forever, but then I find out you picked this college for River too. You played both sides so well–made your girlfriend look like a total joke.“]]
Bryce’s eyes went wide, opening and closing his mouth without speaking.]
“Day two of orientation when we fought, I told myself not to make a big deal out of nothing. But you wouldn’t see me, wouldn’t answer my calls. Your roommate finally told me you went street racing with River. I cried and worried myself sick that night, scraped up my leg falling on the road. And what were YOU doing? Holding River and comforting HER.“]
Bryce shook his head, completely breaking down.[]
“I’m sorry, Maddie, I’m so sorry… I didn’t know… I didn’t hear my phone, and River was freaking out…“]
Dunned Him for Water Bott? H1] V and Them I Dump
He tried to get closer.
But I’d had enough and straight up slapped him.]
Bryce just stood there crying, stunned.
“You say you ‘didn’t know,‘ but it felt pretty good, right? Officially calling her just a friend while being all intimate with her. No responsibility required. Don’t tell me you didn’t see those thirsty Instagram posts she made.”
“Bryce, you’re absolutely disgusting.”
With that, I turned to leave.]
But Bryce grabbed onto me desperately:]
“I SWEAR I never liked her! Not even a little! Those Instagram photos were just me trying to make you jealous!”
“Maddie, we’ve got over ten years together… I could never let that go. I promise I won’t talk to any other girls ever again. I’ll never let you get hurt like that again. Please, please don’t break up with me…“]
Current Bryce was a sobbing mess, totally shameless.]
Nothing like the elegant prince he used to be.]
I couldn’t shake him off.[]
So I just stood there and yelled at him for ten more minutes.]
Until Felix showed up in his apron, scowling.
“DINNER! Get up here or I’m not even saving you chicken bones.”
I was busy, so I told him to take the ribs upstairs first.[]
Felix: “What”
“Not eating again? I spent forever making your dragon fruit smoothie bowl and Nashville hot chicken with sweet potato fries, and now you’re bailing?”
I thought about it–that really wasn’t fair to him.]
So I decided to go up and eat.]
But Bryce still wouldn’t let go: “Maddie, who is this guy?”
Felix walked over and shoved him aside, rolling his eyes:[]
“Snotty mess. What kinda soap opera drama is this?“]
