Page 80 of I Don't Need Your Romance

But it’s too late. She already sent the text.

“I can’t believe you did that!”

She just shrugs.

My phone beeps. I snatch it before she can read his response.

Axel: I didn’t want to be a jerk, but you insisted so here goes. I don’t want to be with you because I thought you were rich. But you’re just a scholarship student.

My eyes widen. “Is he serious?”

“What?” they ask.

Sophie: Why didn’t you break up with me after you found out? Why did you dance with me and make it seem like you were having a good time?

Axel: I would have looked bad in front of the other kids if I dumped you at the party.

I reach for my pillow and hug it to my chest, trying hard not to cry again.

“What did he say?” Raven asks.

I hold out my phone, and they bend forward to read the texts.

Carly scowls. “So the only reason he went out with you is because he thought you were rich?”

I nod, squeezing my eyes shut.

“Stupid jerk. He must have thought he could get in with the cool kids if he was your boyfriend,” Addie says. “Maybe he thought he could be popular, and then maybe one day when he was older, he could be part of the elite crowd.”

“He just used me,” I whisper.

“I’m so sorry, Sophie,” Carly says as she gathers me in her arms.

Fresh tears well up in my eyes. “I can’t believe he threw me away because I’m not rich. That just proves he never liked me. Because if he did, it wouldn’t matter how much money I had. No wonder he seemed excited when I first told him I go to Harrington Bay Academy. He probably planned from the beginning to use me to get closer to the rich kids. Everything we did together, all of our dates and discussions, they were all fake.”

Raven and Addie wrap their arms around me, telling me how sorry they are and saying encouraging words. I feel so rotten, but having my best friends here with me makes me feel better. I have no idea what I would do without them.

“Looks like I won the challenge after all,” I say as I wipe my eyes. “Book romance is and always will be better than real-life romance.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sophie

I’ve been doing the best thing in the world this past day and a half—reading. I didn’t even leave my room for food. My friends were so kind and awesome to bring breakfast and lunch and dinner to me. They know that I want to be alone with my book boyfriends because they’re the only ones who can make me feel better. I’m sure I’ll come out of the reading cave soon and back to civilization. But I’m allowing myself the weekend to just fall in love over and over again with these sweet guys who will never hurt me.

I can’t believe I said Axel was better than William Knight. What in the world was I thinking? No guy will ever hold a candle to the best man in the world.

I smile as I turn the page, devouring the words like I’m reading them for the first time. I lost count of how many books I’ve read since the jerk dumped me. I read the romantic bits of some a few times because they’re just so swoon. I’m pretty sure I’ll reread William Knight again for the hundredth time.

Later, when my teeth are sunk into another book, the door opens and three heads pop in. My friends look at me with worried expressions on their faces.

I beam at them. “I just started one of the books I bought last year but kept pushing off. Oh my gosh! How did I think this one was meh? It’s amazing. The romance makes my toes curl. Vinn isn’t as sweet and sexy as William, but oh my gosh!”

They smile as they sit around me on the bed. I glance from one to the other, my brows furrowing. “Are you guys worried about me? I’m fine. Just need some time with guys who make me happy.”

Raven nods. “We get that and you should take all the time you need. But you’ve been in your room for hours. I think you need to take a break and stretch your legs.”

“Nah, but thanks.” I continue reading about the amazing Vinn. He’s a spy who falls in love with his enemy. So good!