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I had understood his animosity when I’d thought Luke was the wounded party, but now I wondered if he had known all along. I doubted Luke would’ve kept it to himself.

“Fuck off, Finn, it’s got nothing to do with you,” I muttered.

He ignored me, sitting down beside Ethan. He then told us all how much better it was for Luke being single, and how cheating never paid off.

“Shut up, Finn,” Luke grunted as Finn looked up at him with surprise.

“She fucking cheated on you, man—”

“Just let her go,” Luke said as he turned away.

“It wasn’t just me though, was it?” I breathed, my voice laced with bitterness. “Did you tell your friends, Luke?”

Luke shook his head, his eyes filled with regret. Finn exchanged a look with Ethan, before nodding at me.

“Is that your next move, Gretchen? Slinging shit at Luke—”

“I cheated on her.,” Luke declared, his eyes fixed on mine.

I breathed with relief as Luke stared at me.

“What?!Withwho?!” Sienna shrieked as she jumped to her feet. “You’ve let the entire school slate her while all alongyouwere cheating onher?”

I dropped my eyes to the floor, my body exhausted from the drama.

Luke’s jaw clenched as he tilted his head to Sienna, as he shrugged. “Krystal.”

Ethan groaned, dropping his head into his hands as Sienna gaped at Luke.

Finn was silent, his disgust clear.

“You’re better off without each other then,” he muttered, as Ethan nodded.

I knew Finn’s parents had divorced over his Dad having an affair, so this was low, even for him.

Luke avoided his gaze. Instead, he focused on me.

“Well, it’s been lovely, but I’m leaving,” I snapped, before he tried to talk to me.

I tugged my phone out of my pocket as I headed up to the seats to unlace my skates. My fingers trembled, my heart still in a whirlwind from Luke's confession to our friends. I knew he did that to save me from getting any more shit from Finn, but I refused to feel grateful.

GRETCHEN:

I’m ready if you are?

CAL:

Always ready to see you. Gimme fifteen.

I looked up to see Luke headed towards me, a determined look on his face. His legs strode up the steps two at a time, and I dropped my skates to the floor. I couldn’t get my trainers on quick enough, as his voice boomed my name.

“Gretchen.”

CAL:

Almost there. Happy to warm you up if you’re cold…

“Gretchen.,” Luke repeated, with a hint of impatience.