Heartbreak Lover (Broken Hearts Academy #2) - C.R. Jane Page 0,30

ideas you have going on in your head.”

I searched her face for any signs of deceit. There was the usual hate and annoyance, but nothing that signaled that she was lying to me. And I could usually tell.

But if she hadn’t taken them, then who had?

I stepped backwards to return to the room, but my curiosity over how Melanie and Caiden knew each other had me acting stupid.

“So…how do you know each other?” I asked quietly.

Something glimmered in Caiden’s gaze, as if my question had given him pleasure.

“We just met,” Melanie responded quickly.

Lie. She’d just lied to me. She always smoothed her hair behind her left ear when she lied. I’d learned that months ago.

But why would she lie about that? What did it matter if she’d known Caiden for longer than a day?

And why would she care if I knew?

“Cool,” I said shortly, backing away quickly to go back into the room.

“Have fun today in class?” Caiden’s voice floated after me.

I froze. He couldn’t know…could he?

“It was fine,” I told him tightly, not turning around to look at him. I disappeared into my room and closed the door as fast as I could, Melanie’s cruel laughter echoing around me.

My head hurt from constantly being on guard at this fucking school.

My phone rang just then. It was Landry. I sighed, not knowing what to do. I’m sure that girl had spread it all over campus, if Caiden and Melanie both knew what had happened with Jackson today. Despite what Lane had said about Landry knowing what was going on, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Hello?” I answered, trying to keep my voice light and guilt free.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Well, that was good. He didn’t sound mad. Maybe he didn’t know. Although maybe I wanted him to know so I didn’t have to tell him myself what happened. “How are you feeling?”

“Crutches were great today, but the swelling’s gone down a lot.”

“That’s good,” he said faintly, as if he wasn’t really paying attention.

Awkward silence ensued.

“I still can’t believe that happened at the party. The team’s been questioning everyone. We haven’t talked to anyone who saw you fall.”

“Yeah, it seemed like people were pretty occupied up on that floor.”

More awkward silence.

“So, I heard something today…”

Ahh, here it was.

“Something about you and Jackson…and a classroom.”

“Landry,” I said softly, feeling so terrible that I just couldn’t find it in myself to pick him over Jackson every time it came up.

“Just let me talk,” he ordered, his voice speeding up. “Obviously, it fucking sucks to hear something like that. I mean you and I have only kissed. I thought we were finally going somewhere…”

I prepared for the goodbye, stiffening my shoulders, even though he couldn’t see me.

“But obviously, I’m doing something wrong. I just need to try harder. Hockey’s over now, and I’ll be able to give you the attention you deserve.”

I had no idea what to say. I had fucked another guy against a wall in a classroom, and he still wanted to date me? What the hell?

“Jackson and I…” I began, needing to explain that I didn’t know what was going on with me and him, that I didn’t know when…if ever…I would be able to finally say goodbye to Jackson, even when I knew he was doing nothing but ruining my soul.

“I couldn’t compete before, because I didn’t know it was a competition. But I know Jackson. He’s an asshole to his very core. He’ll mess up, and I won’t. You’ll see.”

“Oh, Landry.”

“Anyways, breakfast tomorrow?” he hurried on before I could say anything. “I’ll meet you at your dorm so I can help you carry your bag.”

“Sounds good,” I said softly, and then he was gone and I was beating myself on the head with my phone, wondering what was broken inside of me that I couldn’t just get myself to fall for a guy like Landry.

Of course, it was at that moment that my phone beeped, signaling an incoming text.

It was Jackson.

Jackson: I need to talk to you. Now. It’s important.

Me: Where?

Jackson: My place. Please.

What was that I’d just been telling myself? I hesitated, thinking that maybe this was the moment I could take a stand. This was the moment I could say goodbye to Jackson Parker.

But the way he’d said “please.” He never said please.

Just this last time, I promised myself.

I didn’t know why I bothered to lie to myself anymore.

11

Jackson

It was all I could do to hold on. This time, I could feel myself turning black. I could feel the