I shake my head and walk toward my room, not wanting to say anything I’ll end up regretting.
“Hunter, please,” she calls out as I reach my door, and it makes me pause for a moment. “I’m so sorry I blamed you.”
I let out a breath then do my best to ignore her sob as I step into my room. Jase is right behind me, and he shuts the door to give us some privacy.
“Fuck,” he lets out on a sigh. “Finally, we know the truth.”
Swinging around, my eyes lock on him as anger rages through me. “I always knew the truth! What? Now I have to pretend nothing happened the past two years and go back to the way things were? Fuck that.”
Jase’s expression sobers in an instant, and he closes the distance between us. “I didn’t say that.”
A frown darkens my forehead as I shake my head in disbelief. “What the fuck was that? An apology?” I begin to stalk up and down the width of my room, needing to release my emotions in some way.
“This whole situation sucks,” Jase muses. “It just fucking sucks.”
“Two fucking years!” The shout rips from me, and my breaths come faster. “She fucking attacked me every opportunity she got.”
Sadness washes over Jase’s features, and stepping in front of me to stop my pacing, he places his hands on my shoulders. “You have all the right to be angry. Let it out.”
I shake my head, and my face is torn with the loss I’ve suffered, the torment I had to just bare, the blame I had to carry.
I shut my eyes for a moment, but they snap open when I hear the sound of my door clicking open. My eyes lock on Jade as she steps into my private space, and I grind the words out, “Get out. Now is not the fucking time.”
“Hunter.” Her voice is cautiously soft as she gives me a pleading look. “Can we please talk about it.” I shake my head, but she must have a death wish because she doesn’t back down. “I’m sorry I blamed you. I shouldn’t have accused you.”
“Jade, not now,” Jase says, knowing the thunderous expression tightening my features means not to fuck with me.
“I just want to apologize,” she says, her face filled with panic and guilt.
My eyes burn into Jade’s as I slowly close the distance between us. I lift my hand and pressing against her shoulder, I shove her out of my room. “Mine was never good enough for you. There’s no way in hell I’ll ever accept yours.”
I slam the door shut and make sure to lock it this time before I suck in a lungful of air.
I gave her time when she didn’t deserve any. I let her take her anger out on me even though I did nothing wrong. I always thought when Jade learned the truth of that night, we would be able to go back to how things were between us.
But I was wrong.
There’s nothing to go back to. Jade made sure of that.
Chapter 12
HUNTER
The immediate rage I felt at hearing why Brady committed suicide has subsided, leaving me feeling wronged and … just fucking drained.
It’s been two days since Jade’s so-called apology. I don’t know if Jase or Fallon spoke with her because she’s giving me my space.
Fallon and Hana have been working on getting everything ready for the ball tonight. Every year we have the function to welcome the students. It’s actually just a get together so students can get to know each other, but the girls use it as an excuse to dress up.
The last thing I’m in the mood for is to be social tonight. I stare at the jacket lying on my bed and zone out as my thoughts return to the past.
‘I hate you, and I wish it was you instead of Brady.’
Jade’s words have become like a whip, lashing at the scars she’s left in her wake.
‘Don’t ever call me again. You lost that right when Brady killed himself because of you. I hate you, Hunter Chargill.’
I can’t even remember how many times she said she hated me. Or the number of times she wished I had died instead of Brady.
I have no words for how I feel. The closest I can get to the rampant feelings swamping me is tormented. Before the truth came out, I got frustrated whenever we fought, but now all the accusations and cruel words flash through my mind, taunting me. It infuriates me, stoking my anger.
‘I’ll never forgive you, Hunter. Someday I’m going to make you pay. I don’t know how or when, but I promise you, you’ll pay for what you’ve done to Brady.’
I let out a bitter chuckle as I reach for the jacket. Shrugging it on, I mumble, “Now it’s your turn to pay, Jade.”
I check my reflection in the mirror and stare at the furious expression on my face. I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings. Letting out a tired sigh, I straighten the jacket then walk over to my dresser so I can grab my Rolex. Strapping it on, I look at the closed door and mutter, “It’s going to be a long fucking night.”
Knowing there’s no way of getting out of attending the ball, I stalk to the door and yank it open. I force myself to not glance at Jade’s door and walk to the living room. Jase and Noah are already sitting on the couch, ready for the evening.
“Looking good guys,” Mila says as she comes up behind me.
I go to take a seat on one of the open sofas and smile at Mila. “Red really suits you. You look beautiful, Mila.”
She grins at my compliment, and when her eyes dart to Jase, I glance at my friend. His lips are parted, and there’s a mixture of wonder and heat in his stunned expression.
Clearing his throat, he blinks a couple of times, then mutters, “Yeah, you don’t look too bad.”
“Gee, thanks,” Mila snubs him.
“Mila, can you help me with my necklace?” Fallon asks as she walks into the open space.
Kao is right behind her. “I’ll help.” He takes the delicate piece of jewelry and moves in front of her.
My eyebrows slowly rise as I watch Kao tenderly brush her hair to the side before he leans into her. He clasps the necklace in place, and I swear everyone is holding their breaths when he pauses with his cheek pressing against Fallon’s.
Then he pulls back, and his eyes glide over the silver dress, which fits her perfectly. “You look breathtaking, Fallon.”
Fallon’s eyes drop from his, and she brings a hand up, fiddling with the single diamond resting on her neckline. “Thanks, Kao.” A nervous smile, which is a rare sight when it comes to Fallon, graces her lips. “You almost look like an adult in the suit.”
She darts around him and makes a beeline for me. I scoot closer to the armrest to make space for Fallon right before she plops down on the sofa. I can feel the tension coming off her in waves and rest my arm behind her on the couch.
She gives me a thankful look, then jokes, “There’s still time to back out of going to the ball.”
I let out a chuckle. “After all your and Hana’s hard work, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“My zip is stuck,” Hana complains while she tries to reach behind her.
“Let me get it,” Jade suddenly says from behind Hana as she walks into the living room. For a second time tonight, I hold my breath as my eyes scan over the light blue silk dress Jade’s wearing. She’s curled the tips of her ginger strands, and it makes the auburn in her hair pop out more.