Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

“Fine.” He pecks my mouth with a grin. “Only other person I can think of is Brie. I broke it off with her as soon as I realized I was a fucking idiot falling for his pen pal.” He tucks a piece of hair that fell in front of my eye behind my ear. “Do we have any Jolly Ranchers left?”

I’m completely baffled, thrown off by his ability to change the topic as though he didn’t drop a massive bombshell on me.

“What did you just say?” I’m staggered.

Xav arches an eyebrow. “Do we have any Jolly Ranchers left?”

“No, the other thing.”

“I broke it off with Brie?” He plays dumb.

Irritated, I huff. “No, the other thing.”

Xavier dazzles me with a stunning, boyish smile. “Oh, you mean the part where I tell you I’m falling for you?”

My brain takes its sweet time deciphering the information.

Did that just happen?

I’m sure any other girl would be overjoyed to hear him say that, euphoric at the thought of possessing Xavier Emery’s heart.

But me?

I’m mad—furious, even. I stiffen up, detaching myself from him and sitting up in the bed of his truck.

“Don’t do that,” I warn.

His smile withers away.

“Do what?” Xavier frowns. “Tell the truth?”

“Xav, stop. It’s not funny.”

I need him to knock it off before he inflicts damage that can’t be reversed. I’m afraid my heart wouldn’t recover.

“Do you see me laughing?” he says with a straight face.

His obstinate behavior sets me off.

“I said stop!” I snap. “You can’t just… say these things.”

I jolt to my feet on an impulse and hop off the truck using the retractable tailgate step.

“Where are you going?” Xavier calls behind me, but I don’t stop, walking with no specific direction in mind. All I know is I need to run the hell away from him before I make the mistake of believing him.

The whole town wants our heads on a pike, and here he is, digging himself in even deeper with me. Nobody suspects that he’s Zac. That Xavier Emery could ever harbor secrets this dark. His untouchable, popular guy status has got him covered for now, but loving me will ruin him, get him exposed.

When they find out that I’m Love, and they will, I don’t want him anywhere near the crossfire.

Footsteps erupt behind me.

He’s following me.

“Why can’t I say it?” Xavier hollers.

Shit, he’s fast.

Stupid tall guy legs.