KATY’S POV
“You really think I care what you have to say?”
Bryan’s jaw tightens, his eyes dark like they always get when he’s angry. “I really think you should calm down before you escalate things more than you’d like.”
I let out a short laugh, the kind that’s more disbelief than humor. “Are you threatening me now, or just trying to sound important?”
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Let’s get back together.”
Like ice, the air stills.
For a moment, I just blink at him, waiting for the punchline that never comes. Wait. He’s serious.
He’s actually serious.
My brows lift slowly, like my brain’s trying to process the level of delusion standing in front of me.
Then, against my will, a tiny laugh slips out and it’s one of those awkward, breathy ones.
And then it worsens. The disbelief, the irony, and the pure audacity of it all hits me at once. Before I know it, I’m laughing loudly, and uncontrollably, my head tilted back, hand clutching my stomach.
“You-“I manage between gasps, pointing at him. “You came all the way here to say that? What happened to everything you said when I dumped your ass?”
His jaw flexes. “Don’t you think giving us a second chance is better than being a slut?”
I tilt my head, lips twitching as the laughter dies abruptly from my lips. “What did you just say?”
He scoffs, his tone dripping with disgust. “You really don’t get it, do you? Everyone’s talking about you, Braydon’s new toy. You’re just another girl he’ll get bored of once he’s done having fun.” He steps closer, eyes raking over me. “Tell me, Katy, is that what you wanted? Attention? To play the slut for a guy?”
The words sting, but I hold his stare. “What I do is none of your business.” My voice comes out hoarse. “Maybe that’s what pisses you off… that I moved on and you didn’t.”
He drags a hand through his hair, frustration flashing across his face. “Katy, what do you want?”
I let out a dry laugh. “What do I want? Nothing from you.”
I turn to leave, but his hand shoots out, gripping my arm hard enough to hurt. He starts dragging me back toward him, ignoring my struggle.
“Bryan, let go!” I jerk, twisting against his hold. When he doesn’t, my voice rises. “Have you lost your mind? Let me go before I file a report against you!”
He freezes then, his eyes darting around as people start watching. I yank my arm free and take a step back, breathing hard.
“Touch me again,” I say quietly, “and I swear you’ll regret it.”
“And then what?” he fires back, veins pulsing at his temple. “We aren’t done, Katy. I decide when this is over.”
I inhale slowly. “We were done the moment you cheated. Stalk me again and I’ll file a report.”
I start to turn away, my shoulders already angling toward the path that will put space between us.
“If you leave, I’ll share those photos.”
The words hits me and everything inside me goes quiet. For a long second I’m only aware of my own breathing and the distant sound of students talking steps away. Photos. His voice loops: “I’ll share those photos.”


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