Crazy Stupid Love (Crazy Love #1)(55)

Garrett tries to talk to me, but I’m too lost in my own thoughts to really process anything he’s saying. After a couple of minutes, he eventually stops trying; the remainder of the car ride a silent one.

When he finally pulls up outside of my dorm room and slows to a stop, I am so eager to escape the confines of the car that I am ripping open the door before he even has the car in park. Slamming it behind me, I’m crossing the space towards my dorm building within seconds.

“Kimber, wait,” he hollers after me, but I don’t stop. I just need to get the hell away from all of this. “Kimber.” His voice sounds directly behind me just moments before his hand closes down around my bicep, jerking me to a stop.

“Would you stop already?” he grinds out, spinning me to face him. “I know things didn’t go as planned tonight, and I’m sorry about that.” He releases my arm, his fingers gently gliding across the part he was just squeezing. “But I have something to say, and you need to hear it.”

“Garrett don’t,” I start but he cuts me off.

“I’m still in love with you, Kimber, that hasn’t changed.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t feel the same.”

“Yes you do,” he insists. “Look, you’re rebelling right now and you know your parents’ want us together, so that’s the last thing you want to give them. But forget about them for a moment and think about me, about us. I know you miss the way we used to be.”

“That’s just it, Garrett, I don’t. I’m sorry.” I drop my tone, guilt creeping its way into the pit of my stomach.

“I don’t believe that. You love me, Kimber. You know that as much as I do. You just need to remember how great we are together.”

It seems like the seconds disappear between him closing in on me to the point where his lips meet mine. The moment the connection is made, I know it’s wrong. Every single thing about it feels wrong.

“What are you doing?” I push at his chest.

“I’m reminding you.” He dips his head again, only this time, I’m prepared and I turn my face to the side to avoid his kiss.

It isn’t until I do, that I see him: Decklan. He’s standing just a few yards away, close enough that I know he can see me under the well-lit dorm entrance but far enough away that I doubt he grasps what is actually taking place.

“Stop.” I push Garrett as hard as I can before spinning towards Decklan.

I know the second I reach him what he’s thinking. Betrayal and anger line his features as he turns away and stalks towards his bike which is parked just feet away.

“Decklan, wait.” I finally reach him as he climbs onto his bike and slides his helmet on. “It’s not what you think.” I pant, trying to catch my breath.

“No?” He cocks his head to the side, his face hidden behind the visor of the helmet making it impossible to read his reaction. “Because to me it looks like you were making out with your ex-boyfriend who you just happened to forget to tell me was here.” He fires the engine to life, drowning out my attempt to explain.

“Decklan, please,” I yell over the noise, panic seizing my entire body as he backs out of the parking lot and speeds off on his bike without once looking in my direction again.

A sob tears through my chest and I kick at the ground, furious that I even put myself in this position to begin with. Spinning I stalk back towards Garrett who has not moved from the spot I left him in.

“Get out the hell out of here, Garrett.” I seethe, stepping directly in front of him.

Without another word I rear back and swing, my hand connecting with his cheek on a loud smack that echoes through the night air.

“And do not ever come back here again.” I ignore his expression of shock and confusion as I spin and quickly walk away.





Chapter Twenty-one


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Kimber

“Decklan, it's Kimber. Please call me back. I can explain last night. I know what you’re probably thinking, but I can assure you it’s not at all what it probably looked like. Please.” I sigh into the phone, not sure what else to say. “Just call me.”

I press the end button and drop my phone onto the bed, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands. I’m exhausted, drained. I got very little sleep last night having spent most of it trying to reach Decklan.

It’s been nearly twenty-four hours and he hasn’t answered even one of my calls or texts. I even get the run around when I call the bar. It’s beyond frustrating. If I had my own car I would probably have already driven to Portland myself. I’m just not prepared to pay a cab to drive me all the way there just to have him refuse to see me, which I get the feeling is likely what would happen.

“No luck?” Harlee exits the bathroom, her wet hair knotted up in a large bath towel.

“None.” I sigh. “I just don’t get it. Why won’t he at least give me the chance to explain?”

“Put yourself in his shoes, girl. How would you feel if you showed up at the bar to surprise him and saw him kissing his ex-girlfriend which he purposely didn’t tell you was in town? Would you not think the worst?”

Even I can’t argue with that logic. I know I need to just give him some time to cool off. But having him think the worst of me is eating me from the inside out. I need him to know the truth and not the version of truth he thinks is fact, but the actual truth.