He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 16

He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 16

The rest of the birthday dinner went smoothly.

Until the very end, when Jake followed me out to the back garden.

The swing I was sitting on started swaying.

I spun around.

Jake. Red-rimmed eyes, staring down at me.

“Lily. I’m sorry.”

The whiskey on his breath hit me.

My chest tightened-but it didn’t hurt the way it used to.

I shook my head.

“I told you. We’re done. You’re just another person to me now.”

“Why?”

he asked, moving closer, close enough that I could feel his breath.

I didn’t understand. I’d made it clear. He had his dream girl. What more did he want?

“Lily… don’t break up with me, okay? If you’re angry, hit me. Yell at me. Just don’t go cold on me…”

His voice cracked. He kept leaning in, the way he used to when we were close.

I stumbled backward.

He kept mumbling.

“I ended things with Elena. No-we were never really together… You’re the one. You’re my

girlfriend.”

“Jake!”

“Jake.”

My mom’s voice cut through, calm but firm.

He froze.

She stepped between us, pulling me behind her.

“Lily, Ethan’s looking for you Go find him I need to talk to Jake

I hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked away

1 didn’t rush.

Behind me, I heard her voice calm but steel edged and Jake’s low replies, almost pleading.

I didn’t try to catch the words