Page 113 of Devious Love

Suddenly, my dad appears in front of me, a look of concern on his face. “You look like shit.”

Miles comes closer too, wiping his hands on a rag. “Yikes, man. You had one day off. What the hell could’ve happened in that time?”

I slip my hands into my pockets and shrug. “Mia and I broke up.”

They stare at me, silent, unblinking.

Eventually, Dad shakes his head and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Kid?—”

“It’s okay.” I look from him to Miles. “It’s okay.”

I turn and pull my coveralls from my locker. Once they’re on, I head straight for the Ducati. I can feel their eyes on me, and the weight of their prolonged silence presses on my shoulders.

Determined to lose myself in my work, I tune them out. This is my one salvation. Long ago, my dad taught me that when everything falls apart, a person can find peace in their work. There’s no tool that’ll repair a broken heart, no magic pill, but if I just keep my hands busy, maybe the work will distract me from thoughts of her.

And maybe if I pretend I’m fine, one day, eventually, I might be.

June

I didn’t planto be here. In fact, it’s the last place I should be, but here I am.

The airport is crowded, the conversations of passersby and announcements making it difficult to hear myself think.

I watch her from afar, something I have mastered in the four months since our breakup. We haven’t had a single conversation since the day I showed up on campus to officially end things, not even a greeting, but I’ve seen her around town. Every time, she looked as beautiful as ever, healthier, brighter.

And today, she’s fucking stunning.

She’s wearing a short pink sundress with white sneakers. Her long hair is down, trailing over her shoulders in soft waves. She and Chiara stand near the TSA line with Dad, Monica, and Matt, as well as Chiara’s parents. They’re sending their girls off for a summer in Italy. For a summer with Luke, just like Mia wanted.And according to Matt, even her mother dearest isn’t against it anymore.

The moment we broke up, things started looking up for her. Matt swears she and her mom barely fight anymore, and she passed all her classes. She quit her job at Luigi’s, though I have a sneaking suspicion she did it mostly to avoid me, since I eat there pretty regularly. Our breakup gave her more time with her friends and more time to study and work on her freelance projects. Her Instagram grid is full of the art she’s been creating, and it’s all perfect.

This is exactly what I wanted.

She steps up to Matt, who engulfs her in a hug, whispering something in her ear. Jealousy spreads across my skin like wildfire, because hugging her is a privilege I’ve lost.

I’m a stupid fuck, jealous of a brother hugging his sister.

Her mom hugs her next, then my dad. He holds her close and whispers in her ear too. When he does, she rears back, her mouth forming a little O.

Fuck, I’d give anything to know what he said to her to make her look like that.

Finally, she takes a step back and surveys her family.

I don’t know why I step forward, but when I do, the movement catches her attention, and she zeroes in on me. Under her scrutiny, I stop breathing. I wait for her reaction. I wait for anger or tears. Instead, all I get is a blank look.

My heart sinks deeper, my stomach twisting. I deserve it, but it still stings.

With one final wave to her family, she and Chiara turn and walk away.

I stay where I am, even after they’ve made it through security, even after our family is gone. My pulse hammers in my ears, my vision darkening, and I grit my teeth harder.

She’s gone. Out of reach. Out of sight.

And she took my heart with her.

CHAPTER 32

good for her