Page 114 of Let You Love Me

Fun.

I want to laugh because nothing about Chance accompanying me while trick or treating withourdaughter—the one he made very clear he never wanted—sounds fun.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I shake my head, afraid of showing my hand but also not in the headspace to give a damn.

Mom’s smile falters, a hint of uncertainty as she says, “Don’t be like that. I know this evening isn’t turning out how you wanted, but it’s still salvageable.” She shrugs. “If Teagan shows up, I’ll tell him it was getting late and you couldn’t wait.”

I clench my jaw and glance away from her.

If she knew the truth, she wouldn’t be so quick to pair me up with Chance. But I say nothing of the sort. Instead, I leave the house in a hurry, all while squeezing Sophie’s hand a little tighter than necessary.

Maybe if I walk fast enough, he’ll take the hint and get lost.

Our feet hit the paved sidewalk, and Chance jogs to catch up.

No such luck.

I say nothing as we walk to the neighboring house for candy while I mash my lips together, refusing to be the first to speak.

“So, Nichols, huh?” he says, after a moment.

My gaze darts to his and my eyes narrow as Sophie takes the stairs of our neighbor’s porch, then rings the doorbell. I had hoped in vain he missed what my mother said. The last thing I want is for him to know I was stood up by one of his teammates, even if it wasn’t a date.

“Don’t look at me like that.” He scoffs. “I knew the second I saw you guys at Slice he wanted to be more than just friends.”

“Why would you think that?” I hate that I even want to know, but I can’t deny how much I do. Maybe there’s some truth I can glean from his words which will explain why Teagan’s not here.

“Besides the way he looked at you?” He shrugs. “Guys are never just friends with girls.”

I stare at him for a long moment, absolutely hating that I’m reading into what he said.

Were Chance and I never friends? Had he always wanted more from me before we got together?

I shake off the thought. It doesn’t matter. That ship has sailed and I don’t want a repeat ride.

I cross my arms over my chest, keeping one eye on Sophie as she thanks the Smiths for the candy, then skips her way toward me.

“Listen, Lane.” Chance angles himself closer, but I refuse to look at him. “I know you think you know him, but he’s not right for you.”

I laugh. Full-on tip-my-head-back and belly-roll laugh.

“Are you really telling mehe’snot good for me?” I say, ignoring the fact that we’re not even together, not like that. “Seriously, Chance?”

“I’m telling you he’s bad news.”

I grind my teeth so hard my molars ache, cursing him even more when I have to force a smile at Sophie as she returns and places her hand in mine.

I guide her to the next house and down the long walkway, then wait as she knocks before I whirl on him. “What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss.

“I told you—”

“Youlied.” I roll my eyes. “So what’s the real reason?”

The muscle in his jaw twitches, giving him away. Not that I didn’t already know he was a liar.

“Okay, so maybe I didn’t come to see your father. Maybe I wanted to see you. Is that so hard to believe?”

Anger rolls through me like a giant boulder rolling downhill, gaining momentum as it goes. “Yeah, actually, itisa little hard to believe, Chance.”