23. Zayne
CHAPTER 23
Zayne
I t’s been four days since I last set foot on the campus of Green Haven. I don’t miss that pretentious place, nor anyone in it, one fucking bit.
That’s a lie. I still miss Delaney.
Despite all my rage, I ache for her, even though I shouldn’t.
My jaw clenches as my heart hardens. If she cared, why hasn’t she reached out to you?
A long sigh escapes me as my gaze drifts to the window. My broken heart had me in abject misery all weekend. The pain inside was worse than whatever struck me in the fucking back.
Face it, Zayne. No matter how much you thought her eyes pleaded with you, the fact remains that she left you broken and in misery, never once looking back as she walked away. And if there were a reason for her behavior, she would’ve reached out by now.
My hands clench into fists as I grab my phone. I was so fucking wrong about her. She wouldn’t have been able to walk away so easily if she cared about me. If the situation were reversed, it would’ve taken a small army to drag me away from her.
Thoughts of Daniel’s words to me outside my father’s bar roll through my mind. “We will take you down.”
I was smug, thinking he met him and his two shitty friends. But the malicious way his eyes bored into mine and the vile smile on his face when I asked who would take me down, and he responded with, “My family ,” now has me wondering.
Has this all been an elaborate plan to destroy me? Has Delaney been part of it all along?
I jerk awake, the memory of Delaney’s lips on mine fading as the dream dissipates. My heart stutters inside my chest, my breathing ragged.
You need to get over her before she kills you.
I wince, searching for my phone. When I was angry as hell earlier, I threw it. Where did the damn thing go?
Climbing out of the bed, I stand on shaky legs, my back protesting the movement. My gaze searches the room, finally spotting it in the corner.
I hobble on unsteady legs, stoop down, and grab it. When I lift it, I spot a text message from “Unknown.”
Slowly returning to my feet, I open the message, disbelief turning to rage. My brows lift in surprise. Is Delaney fucking joking?
She leaves me, injured and heartbroken, waltzing off with the skinny prick that I’d like to pound into the sand and ghosts me all weekend. Now she’s texting me from a new number, saying she needs to talk to me? Fuck that.
I don’t know what the hell kind of fool she thinks I am, but I’m not walking into another trap that includes her jackass “boyfriend,” his best friend, and her brother jumping me with another bat or whatever the fuck Tim hit me with Saturday.
Fuck Delaney and her stupid mind games. I’m over it.
I toss my phone on the nightstand, then exit my bedroom in search of some food.
“How are you feeling, sweetie?” My mom stands on her tiptoes, her lips pressing against my cheek.
“Just fine, shortie.” I ruffle her hair, giving her a smile despite the pain coursing through me. “Got any food I can eat?”
“Course. Have a seat at the table.” She moves to the fridge and begins gathering ingredients. “Chicken breast and potatoes sound good?”
“Perfect. You’re the best, Mom.”
She flashes me a smile as she sets to work. “I called the school. Your teachers have been very understanding. They were horrified to hear what happened at the lake. A bunch of students have been talking about it.”
I cringe and then scrub my face with my hands. My voice drips with sarcasm as I sit back in the chair, my back protesting the movement. “Glad I could provide them with entertainment and gossip.”
My mom gives me a wry smile. “You know how those entitled brats are. You’re a better person than they are, and that’s why they act the way they do.”
“You’re biased.”
“I’m honest. You’re a good man, Zayne. I’m proud of the person you’ve become.” She drops a kiss on my head as she passes me to grab the chicken from the refrigerator. “You don’t need to return to school this week unless you want to. Your teachers are good with whatever you decide. They expressed their well wishes and said they hoped you felt well enough to attend graduation.”
A lump forms in my throat.
Graduation. The day I thought I would close the chapter on all the horror I experienced at that preppy school and begin a new chapter with Delaney.
I foolishly thought we’d go off to the same college and get a happy ending.
But I’m no longer delusional. The poor guy from the wrong side of the tracks doesn’t get the rich girl and the happily ever after.
He gets heartache and humiliation.