Page 12 of The Dark Stranger
His composure cracks. “I was angry,” he says, like it’s a defense. “You left me—”
She laughs once. Sharp. Disbelieving.
“I left after I caught you.”
He has no response.
Inside, Becca feels it — that old ache trying to crawl back up her throat. The girl who cried over him. Who reread messages. Who wondered what she did wrong.
She shuts it down.
“You know what the worst part is?” she asks.
He looks up, eyes glassy now.
“I still defended you. Even after.”
That lands harder than anything else.
He drags a hand over his face, ashamed. “I didn’t know how to fix it.”
“You don’t,” she says simply. “Some damage doesn’t reverse. It just… changes shape.”
A beat passes between them. Cold air. Distant music. History sitting heavy.
She flicks the dead cigarette over the railing.
“And now,” she says, calm but carved from steel, “I have to rebuild a reputation you burned for ego.”
Izzy’s voice drops. “The rumors aren’t done spreading.”
She meets his eyes.
No tears. No softness left there.
“Then you better pray I don’t start telling the truth.”
Silence falls — thick, final.
And for the first time since stepping outside…
Becca feels like the one in control.
As Becc returns to the girls, Samantha appeared like she always did — polished, smiling too wide, eyes too sharp.
“Hey Becca, haven’t seen you in a few days. Where you been? How’s everythinggoing?”
Becca smiled back just as sweet. “Just been home, working on some new stuff. How’s everything with you?”
Samantha leaned in slightly, lowering her voice in fake concern. “I’ve heard some rumors… just wanted to make sure you’re okay. You know how this town talks. Things about drugs… clients… Izzy…”
Becca let out a soft laugh through her nose, tilting her head.
“Oh, Samantha… people only gossip about the ones worth talking about. What do they say about you these days?”
The smile on Samantha’s face twitched.
“Well… I hope everything goes good for you. I’m sorry to hear about you and Izzy.”
