Page 73 of How to Break My Heart

Everleigh casually sits beside me, tucking her feet under her legs. “Yeah, I was at the grocery store with Marco.”

Great! This is the one lie I don’t want to get on board with.

Madelina claps her hands with excitement. “Wait, so hot doctor is back on?”

“Yes, it’s back on.” Everleigh forces a smile, then continues, “I was just telling Aston about my upcoming date.”

I do everything to remain calm, sporting a blank face rather than exposing my jealousy. While I want to show Everleigh how Ireallyfeel about this, her pleas to keep this from my sister are in the back of my mind.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so excited,” Madelina squeals annoyingly. “You’re going to have the hottest sex ever. You think he will wear his white coat, and you’ll do it on his desk?”

The muscles in my neck tighten as I mutter, “Don’t you need to use the bathroom?”

“Oh, damn. Hold that thought.”

Madelina rushes to the bathroom, leaving me alone with Everleigh. The apartment is small, with the bathroom only a few steps away.

“I had to lie,” Everleigh whispers. “Don’t give me that look.”

I lean in close, holding her gaze with an intensity that makes her flinch. My voice drops to a low, commanding tone, each word measured and firm. “This isn’t over.” There’s no room for argument, no softness in my expression. I am making it clear that whatever she thinks, I’ll have the final say.

Everleigh holds my stare. “I never said it was.”

I consider waiting this out until Madelina says, “Hey, can I crash here tonight? I could really use some girl time.”

“Of course.” Everleigh smiles, then turns her attention back to me. “I guess we’ll meet tomorrow, then? Just let me know when you’re free after work. I have a spare hour before my date with Marco.”

The burning sensation inside my chest refuses to dissipate, even though her so-called date is fictitious. With a fixated stare, I nod. It’s all I can do so my sister doesn’t unravel the truth.

I step out of the apartment with a heavy weight on my shoulders. On my walk back to my car, which is still parked in front of the grocery store where I left it, the cold winter air awakens my senses.

One thing has become abundantly clear.

This is far from over.

CHAPTER 20Eva

Maddy hugs the spare pillow as we lie in my bed watchingGilmore Girls.

It’s our comfort show, where no thinking is required, and the fast-paced banter calms our chaotic minds. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve binge-watched it.

“I just don’t understand why you want the rich playboy. Everyone knows Logan will never settle down with one girl,” Maddy says, eagerly starting our usual argument.

Team Jess or Team Logan.

Dean is not an option in either of our eyes.

“And you think Jess can settle down? His trauma is next level.”

Maddy huffs. “He was willing to run away with Rory.”

“And why should she give up all her dreams?” I argue, keeping my stance firm on the subject. “Just to run away with some bad boy wearing a leather jacket.”

It’s the same old argument, no matter how many times we’ve seen it. We both turn silent, focusing on the screen. Unlike Maddy, my head isn’t completely here.

Not since Aston left.

I try hard not to think about our kiss, or should I say, kisses. And I’m definitely trying not to think about the way he lifted mytank top and devoured my breasts like a hungry beast deprived of food.