Beg You to Trust Me (Lindon U #2)(100)

“Sleepover?” she suggests, waving the greasy food in front of me. “I brought the goods.”

I step aside and let her in. “Did you drive all the way to Bridgeport to get that?”

“It’s what friends do.”

I feel like crying again.

Normally, I’d hold back because I hate people seeing me like that. But with Olive, I know she won’t judge.

“I heard about what happened in Huden,” she says once we’ve positioned ourselves on my bed with our midnight snacks.

I swipe the back of my hand against my cheek and sniff back the tears that want to keep coming. “I don’t know what to do, Olive. I’ve never done anything for her to hate me so much. The school already thinks I’m a slut, but her comment just made it worse. I thought I was over caring, but…”

“There’s no truth in it,” she says, making my shoulders drop in guilt. “So, she’s talking out of her ass for attention. I know ignoring her is hard, but this will blow over.”

My blurry eyes meet hers. I lick my chapped lips and stare at the untouched food in front of me. “I’m not a slut. You’re right. But…”

Olive’s eyes widen when I dare sneak a peek at her.

I swallow, wincing past the pain of my raw throat. I look away from her somber gaze and blow out a breath.

If I don’t talk, I’ll explode.

I feel it coming.

And I know I won’t survive.

So, I tell her everything.





CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR





SKYLAR





With finals growing closer, I spend more time locked away in my room or inside the library with Olive as my bodyguard. Ever since our sleepover, our friendship grew once the truth was out. I couldn’t hide behind a mask and pretend I was okay. I told her about the football party. About the morning after. About the real reason I needed her to bring me to the clinic.

Truth is an ugly thing. A monster in the dark. It’s always lingering, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But once it’s spoken, the power it has suddenly becomes nobody’s power except your own. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Olive and I are walking toward the exit of the library after a few hours of exam prep when a few guys come stumbling in, brushing off snowflakes from their jackets. One of them bumps into me, giving me a quick once-over before smirking.

“I know you,” he says, eyes going down my body again.

Olive steps closer to me. “Doubtful.”

He glances at her in an unamused way that makes me twitchy. “Aren’t you O’Conner’s latest toy?”

My nostrils flare, but before I can comment, Olive bats her lashes at the jerk and asks, “Jealous that I took your spot?”

The guy’s friend laughs, smacking him in the back to nudge him along. “C’mon, Bryant. Leave them be.”

“I’m just making friendly conversation,” Bryant says, eyeing us. “It’s not my fault they’re being bitches about it.”

“Hey,” somebody says from behind us.

I look over my shoulder to see Caleb, Raine, and Ivy standing there.

Caleb gives the two guys a warning look before saying, “That’s uncalled for.”

It’s Bryant who rolls his eyes. “Whatever, man. I was just trying to talk to them. I don’t need the fucking football team after me for it. Pussy ain’t worth that shit. Especially not hers.”

Olive’s hand finds mine and squeezes as I fight off the blush that wants to take over my entire body under the dickhead’s scrutiny.

Ivy, who always gives me a small smile if I find myself at the bakery, steps forward, standing on my other side and leveling with the douchebag in front of us. “I highly suggest you shut the fuck up before I rip your dick off and shove it down your throat until you choke on it.”

I hear, “Christ,” murmured from Caleb and a small, choked laugh from Raine.

Both the guys throw their hands up and shoulder past us, not saying a word as they go. Probably smart on their part since Ivy looks serious about her threat.

When they’re gone, Caleb walks over with Raine trailing right beside him. “You okay?”

It’s hard to meet his eyes. I don’t know what Danny has told him about our sort of breakup, so I simply nod.

Raine brushes my arm and gives me a small smile before looping her arm around Ivy’s. They start walking toward the doors, but Caleb sticks behind.

He asks, “Mind if we talk for a second?”

Olive looks between us, waiting for me to give a hesitant nod before she gives us privacy.

His hands go to his jacket pockets. “I heard about what happened at the dining hall. People can be real dicks.”

That’s what he wanted to say?

“And,” he adds, making nerves shoot through my body. What exactly am I expecting? Him to officially break up with me for Danny that way their wide receiver doesn’t have to? “The team has your back. You mean something to DJ, so we’ll make sure people don’t bug you.”

I blink slowly. “I’m not so sure about that anymore.”

“You do. DJ is one of the best guys I know. He doesn’t always take things seriously, but you…you’re the one thing he does.”