Page 26 of Trapped With You

My ex-boyfriend cheated on me.

He broke my heart.

Yet he still wore all the reminders of our relationship…like he still loved me.

C H A P T E R7

Mine

Ella

The Past – 3 years ago

Awarm breeze caressed my legs when I stepped out the doors of St. Victoria. The mid-September sky was painted in beautiful hues of gold, pink, and blue as evening fell upon Montardor. I tugged the strap of my purse higher up my shoulder and glanced down at my wristwatch. Seven minutes past six.

I cut cheerleading practice early because there was someone I wanted to see.

Cade Remington.

The boy I met a few weeks ago. The one I couldn’t stop thinking about.

I texted him that I wanted to buy more weed, but it was a cheap excuse to see him.

Since the moment I laid eyes on him, a tender feeling ignited in my chest, striking the strings of my heart until my insides reverberated with an elation that had me short of breath.

I was unaccustomed to this feeling—unaccustomed to closing my eyes and seeing blue eyes and dark hair. Tall stature and busted knuckles. Quiet expression anddon’t-fuck-with-medemeanor.

Part of me already knew the truth: I had a crush on Cade.

The other part of me was in denial. I tried to play it cool whenever we crossed paths in the hallways. I did my utmost best not to turn around in my seat during math class and ogle him. I failed, of course.

He fascinated me.

There were so many things about him that I didn’t know yet.

So many things I suddenlyneededto know.

Our first meeting happened in the middle of summer.

Darla, Callie, and I wanted to try smoking weed during our sleepover that weekend, and I heard from an acquaintance that there was a boy who could help. They gave me his number and I texted him.

He replied instantly and suggested a place to meet. I knew nothing about him except that his name was Cade.

According to the rumour mill, he was a young, ambitious gangster working with a local gang to sell illicit substances to the teenagers of South Side.

When we linked up in MacGregor’s empty alleyway, a popular Irish pub in Montardor, it was nearing evening. Bathed in the warm sunset glow, he stood against the brick wall, a raised hood partially obscuring his face.

When I approached closer andreallysaw him…I halted in my steps.

Tall, blue eyes, dark brown hair, and regal aura with a lick of danger.

He was handsome in the way of dark fairy tales. Enchanting and mysterious, a prince with an ensnaring, quiet charm. His armour consisted of black clothing from head to toe, but I noticed silver rings sitting at the base of his knuckles in adornment.

My God, I’d never seen someone like him.

I was mesmerized.

Cade spotted me and froze too.