Page 17 of The Heart Breaker

Sure, some guys still hit on me, but I see it in their eyes, the curiosity as to whether I’m as crazy as everyone claims. I’m so tired of the looks and the whispers. I’m angry that what Chase did still follows me around like I’m the one who should be embarrassed by it. Angry that I let that anger push me into something as reckless as signing up to work at a strip club. Angry that lately, I don’t even feel like myself half the time.

Maisie bumps her shoulder against mine, dragging me back to the present. “Earth to Aurora. You kind of zoned out there.”

I smirk, tear off a corner of her croissant, because Ineedsomething sweet right now, and pop it into my mouth. “Sorry,” I say as I swallow it down. “Just planning your bachelorette party.”

She goes bright red. “Don’t even joke about that,” she says with a nervous laugh. “We are way too young.”

I snort. “You really think that would stop Austin?” I lift a brow at her. “That guy is gone for you. Honestly, I’m shocked he hasn’t asked already.”

She shakes her head, but there’s a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “No. We’ve been together less than a year.” Her brows pull together. “I just… I want him to be sure. I don’t want him rushing in case he—” She cuts herself off and swallows. “In case he changes his mind.”

Maisie is smart. Scary smart, actually. One of the smartest people I know. But when it comes to Austin, she can be so stupid it’s almost impressive. The guy is obsessed with her. He’d probably throw himself in front of a bus before he let anything happen to her.

I bump my knee against hers. “Mais,” I say, my voice softening a little, “that man is so far gone for you it’s honestly embarrassing. There’s no saving him.”

Her chubby cheeks turn even pinker, tucking her hair behind her ear, and I nudge her shoulder with mine, smiling before I can stop myself. First smile I’ve managed in… longer than I want to think about.

But then Isabella’s eyes go wide, her whole expression changing so fast it drags me right out of it.

“Oh, no,” she says under her breath.

My smile slips. I glance at her, but she’s not looking at me. She’s staring somewhere over my shoulder. I turn in my seat, trying to see what the hell has her acting like that?—

I freeze when my eyes land on Cole, standing in line with his hood up, and my mood tanks instantly.

I clear my throat. “I’ll be right back,” I mutter, lifting from my seat.

“Play nice,” Maisie calls after me.

I keep my head high as I cross the café, refusing to let anyone—especially him—see me hesitate.

He glances up, and his eyes catch mine beneath the edge of his hood. The muscle in his jaw jumps. I don’t know how he manages to look pissed off and smug at the same time, but somehow, he does.

My chest goes tight, my stomach dropping as every humiliating second from last night slams back into me.

“You stalking me now, Reaper?” I ask, stepping into line beside him.

He barely glances at me. “Didn’t even see you, Viper.”

I scoff. “Bullshit.”

He finally looks at me, his face giving away nothing except the tight set of his mouth. “Not everything revolves around you.”

“So it’s a coincidence that you just keep showing up wherever I am?”

He shrugs, flicking his eyes up to the menu over the barista’s head. “Campus isn’t that big. Don’t flatter yourself.”

The line shuffles forward. I open my mouth, ready to fire back, but he beats me to it.

“I didn’t realize you were so… entrepreneurial,Roxy.” Heat crawls up my neck at the smug look on his face, reminding me what he saw. What I did. “Guess they’ll let anyone up there these days.”

Fury flashes through me. “If you tell anyone about what happened last night?—”

He scoffs, stepping up to the counter. “You’re not that interesting. I barely remember it.”

He turns away to order—black coffee, obviously, to match his bitter soul—but I stay right where I am, watching him.

Because he’s full of shit.