Page 101 of Revenge Puck
I gasp. Rest my hand on his shoulder. “I am so sorry.”
“It happens,” he says quietly.
No, it doesn’t. Not like that. Not with the way his jaw tightens after he says it.
“Still,” I murmur. “That’s awful.”
His eyes stay on the counter for a beat longer before lifting to mine.
“It wasn’t just cheating,” he adds. “It was the entire situation.”
My stomach dips. “Oh.”
“It was with someone I trusted.”
That changes everything. I feel a palpable shift in the room.
“A friend?”
A muscle in his cheek ticks. “Yes.”
I ache for him. “That’s worse.”
“It is.”
“No wonder people disappoint you.” I let out another breath. “Because the ones who you trusted betrayed you.”
He studies me like he didn’t expect me to put that together.
“I’m not broken, if that’s what you’re thinking. And this isn’t a rebound,” he informs me, with dignity.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You’rethinkingit.”
“I’m thinking you were hurt.”
His gaze drops to where my hand rests on him. Then back to my face.
“You’re very quick to take my side,” he says, frowning.
“Should I not?”
He doesn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he lifts his hand and slowly wraps his fingers around mine, where it rests on his arm, and holds it, fingers gently stroking mine.
“You don’t even know the whole story,” he says so calmly I have to lean in closer to hear the words.
“Does it matter?” I whisper.
“It might.”
“Why? Were you cruel?” I press quietly.
“No.”
“Were you careless?”
