Kiss and Break Up - Ella Fields Page 0,91

into the locker. “You’re wrong for me. In all the right ways.” He squeezed my cheeks between his fingers, pursing my lips and quickly smacking his against them. “I’ll see you at lunch, lady love.”

My face was on fire as he swaggered down the hall to his friends and left me there for everyone to gawk and snicker at.

Who the hell did he think he was?

I should’ve known. I was the one person who knew him best. Yet I’d forgotten the words I’d uttered just this morning.

Dash Thane did whatever he wanted.

I met up with Daphne at my locker before lunch, needing to grab mine from my bag.

“He’s seriously not backing down.” She examined her coral-colored nails.

“Tell me about it.” I huffed, plucking out my lunch. Something fluttered to the ground, and I groaned, wanting to leave it there.

My heart wouldn’t let me and neither would Daphne, who picked it up and held it out to me between two fingers. “What are you going to do?”

I opened the letter, my eyes skimming his messy words.

I’m such a prick.

And a dick.

And a fuckwit.

But I love you.

And I know you love me too.

That’s why I wrote this shitty-ass poem for you.

Daphne fell into fits of laughter, and I slowly folded the paper closed, biting my lips as I tucked it inside my bag.

“You totally have to show your grandkids that.”

“You’re acting like we’re some foregone conclusion.” I slammed my locker, my chest a bubbling, bouncing, mess.

Daphne bit into her apple, chewing before she commented. “Because you’re probably the only one who doesn’t see that.”

We pushed inside the cafeteria, heading for the back doors to sit outside. “He slept with Kayla. How am I the only one, besides her, who remembers that?”

“Because you love him, and it hurt you, but he was hurting at the time, and he’s a dick even on the best of days.” She took another bite, mumbling around it, “If you and Byron hadn’t gotten a little freaky in the back of that limo, he wouldn’t have been so crushed. He would’ve continued to fight for you, and you know it.”

Guilt gripped me, and I blew some curls from my lips as the wind washed over us. “This is all so stupid and messed up.”

“Love is always stupid and messed up.”

I pointed at a table near the garden ledge, hoping Dash wouldn’t bother looking for me. He always sat with his friends at lunch anyway. “Have you spoken to Lars?”

She tossed her apple into a trash can, taking a seat. “I don’t want to talk about him.”

“Fine. Have you heard from Willa?” I asked as I slid into the bench seat.

The weather had cooled, but not so much that I’d rather sit inside among the prying eyes and careless whispers. Where I was easy prey for Dash.

I’d thought too soon. “Oh, Peggy!”

“Shit.” I fumbled and dropped my sandwich on the ground.

Daphne started choking on her water as Dash took a seat right next to me, straddling the bench. “Dropped your lunch? No problem. I bought you some mac and cheese.”

Daphne was crying, fanning her eyes to keep her makeup in place.

My heart was racing, stumbling over nonexistent hurdles, and landing flat on its face. “Dash, please go.” I didn’t even look at him.

His knee bumped my thigh as he scooted even closer. So close that if a teacher walked out here, which they would soon, he’d be asked to move. “Not going to happen. Also, I heard you mention Willa.” He unwrapped some utensils, stabbing the cheesy pasta with them and pushing one toward me.

Heat rose from it, and the smell just about had me salivating. I tried not to buy too much from the cafeteria even though Dad took care of anything to do with school. Mom liked to make my lunch. Ever since we’d moved out of Dad’s, it was something she seemed to take pride in. But I couldn’t say I didn’t get excited on the days when I didn’t bring any.

Swallowing my pride, I pulled the mac and cheese closer, stirring it before blowing and taking a bite. “Thanks,” I grumbled.

“You’re welcome.” He began eating his own.

“What about Willa?” Daphne asked.

Dash swallowed his mouthful. “Right. Yeah, someone tattled on her and Jackson. I don’t think she’s coming back.”

My fork dropped, and Dash caught it before it hit the table, setting it in the bowl. “She’s not coming back?”

“Holy shit.” Daphne blinked, wide eyes directed at the wooden table.

“Yep,” he said, uncapping his water and taking