DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 67

Chapery bi

Chapter 67

Bella

“What is it about? I asked sull rooted in the doorway arms crossed tight over my chest like they could hold everything in My voice came out steadier than I felt “Aceast you should have called that you were coming over

Jones patted the mattress beside him casually like we were just having one of our usual late-night talks Just come sit down so we can talk properly”

I sighed softly and tiredly the kind of sigh that carmed too much weight Jones speak if you want to. You chose to ignore me for days You didn’t even respond to my texts. To be honest I thought we were done” The words shipped out sharper than I meant but they were true. I’d spent nights staring at my phone, waiting for three little dots that never came

“Is that what you want?” he asked quietly eyes searching mine

I swallowed hard. The room frit smaller suddenly Anyway, what do you want to talk about, Jones? I’m listening”

He let out a slow breath rubbing the bark of his neck like he always did when he was uncomfortable. “I wanted to ask why I saw you dressed so differently that day”

My brows furrowed on matinet, but my heart kaked up fast, way too fast “Can’t I dress as I want?”

“I’m not saying that, Bella Another sigh deeper this time. He rubbed his face with both hands. “It’s just that you rarely dress like that You wouldn’t even dress like that for class let alone to see your professor.”

Heat crawled up my neck. I shook my head trying to shake off the accusation I could feel building. “I really have nothing to say to you

“Maybe you should leave and we can talk well later, hm

He looked up at me then, eyes steady and hurt. “Did you probably go there to seduce him for a few marks or what?”

I whipped around to face him fully eyes blinking fast against the sting. “What?” My voice came out strong-stronger than the tremor in my hands

He stood up slowly, towering in the tiny room. “I’m sorry, but that’s the only thing I could think. I just need you to tell,ne that it was all in my head and there was nothing like that.”

I scoffed, the sound bitter and sharp. “How about you stop overthinking on wait, this is better-how abos I not tell you anything!” The snap came out before I could pull it back.

“Aren’t I the one supposed to be mad at you?” he asked, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe we were here

“Fine, you’re supposed to be mad at me.” I shot back, voice rising. “But can you leave now? I really want to be alone

He gnashed his teeth-literally, I heard the click-and nodded once, short and sharp. Then he took a step toward me, ” enough that I could see the hurt flickering behind the anger in his eyes.

“Anyway,” he said, voice low and deliberate, “do remember that that man is my brother-in-law, so he’s off limits.”

The words landed like a slap. Brother-in-law. Gina’s fiance. Jones’s future family. The reminder twisted the knife deeper because i already knew, and hearing it from him made it real in a way the money in my bag hadn’t.

1 didn’t say anything My throat closed up tight

:46 am PPPP

Chapter 62

that why didn’t you tell me?” The words burst out before I could stop them, sharp and desperate, as he reached for the door Bandle.

He froze, back still to me.

“What?”

“Why didn’t you tell me that your sister is engaged to the professor?”

Jones exhaled hard, feeling frustrated, like I’d just asked the dumbest question in the world. He turned slowly, eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t your friend tell you?”

What?” My eyes narrowed right back. My stomach was already sinking.

Lara,” he said simply, like that one name explained everything.

What are you talking about?” My voice cracked. I’d never felt this lost in my own room.

He shook his head, a bitter little laugh escaping. “Why didn’t she tell you that Gina and Mr. Black are engaged? How’s she upposed to know that?”

How is she not supposed to know?” I echoed, confused, defensive.

Wait.” He actually laughed again-short and incredulous-shaking his head like I was the punchline. “Didn’t she tell you?”

Tell me what?”

Gina and Lara are actually best friends. She knew long before me.”

My eyes blinked twice like my brain was trying to reboot. “What?”

Are you lying to me right now?” The whisper came out small, shaky.

Why would I lie to you?” He furrowed his brows, hurt flashing behind the frustration.

Because… because it makes no sense,” I whispered, shaking/my head slowly. It really didn’t.

ara-my Lara, the one who’d sat with me for hours plotting how I could “seduce and blackmail” Darrell into giving me the A-had suggested the whole thing. She’d laughed about it, called it “easy money and easy grades,” pushed me when I

esitated. Why would she push me toward her best friend’s fiancé? Why would she set me up like that?

You really think I’m lying?” Jones scoffed, already pulling out his phone. He scrolled fast, then turned the ses en toward are

Photos. Dozens of them.

Lara and Gina at a beach, arms around each other, laughing into the camera. Lara and Cina at some fancy restaurant linking cocktails. Selfies in matching outfits. Throwback pics from secondary school-same uniforms, same goofy smies Gina’s caption on one: Bestie since day one

My knees buckled. I grabbed the back of the chair to keep from hitting the floor

“Do you still think I’m lysag?” he asked quietly.

I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. The room tilted. My vision blurred at the edges-not tears, not yet, just pine overload Lara knew. She’d always known. And she still told me to go through with it Encouraged it. Planned it. What was she up to

“Are you okay?” Jones’s voice cut through the roar in my head. He stepped closer. concern replacing the anger.

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7:46 am P P P P

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