Glass Heart Hero: A Dark High School Romance by Lindsey Iler (free ebook reader for iphone .TXT) 📕

Chapter Six

Delaney

“Care to explain what the hell that was?” Tripp shuts his door behind us.

“Care to explain why you used me for your stupid little gauntlet, huh?” I stand, pressing my clenched fists into my hips, pissed off more than anything. I had no idea what he had up his sleeve for tonight. I hate that Breaker figured it out before me. “I told you I didn’t want to be involved.”

Tripp practically carried me out of the building and placed me in the passenger seat of his SUV. For the two-minute drive through campus, I could feel the anger radiating off him. If anyone deserves to be angry, it’s me.

“What’s your problem with Breaker?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Lane. Maybe the fact that whenever you look at him, you have this twinkle of wonder in your fucking eye. Or maybe because he’s always been a piece of shit in my eyes, and the idea that you are even remotely interested in him, makes me want to choke him out.”

He’s furious. My guess is Breaker’s words have burrowed a hole into his chest so big, his insides are about to be displayed for everyone to see. He’s been exposed, and he hates that.

“Are we exclusive?” I blurt the question, hoping to dig myself out of this monumental hole I’ve created. This is something I’ve been sitting on for a while. If I dare dig into the depths of my mind, I suspect I’ve been avoiding this because it doesn’t really bother me if Tripp’s sleeping around.

“If you’re asking if I’m hooking up with anyone else, I’m not. At least not lately.”

“Describe lately to me.” I smile.

“Let’s not do this.” Tripp unbuttons the top of his shirt and unzips his pants, allowing his clothes to hang loosely on his body. He never allows me to see him disheveled. He very rarely allows himself moments like this. Him willing to let loose around me is surprising. Almost endearing enough to make me forget how he used me in his little game against Breaker.

“No, I think I’d like to.” I sit on his bed, patting the spot next to me. “Come sit.”

“Promise not to get mad?” Tripp asks. He’s never lied to me, so I know whatever he’s about to tell me will be the truth.

“Spit it out, Tripp. I’m a big girl.”

“I hooked up with Taylor a few weeks ago,” he confesses.

I cover my chest with my hand and allow my head to go limp. Whimpers fall from my mouth. “I can’t believe you . . .”

Tripp lifts my chin, exposing my face. “That’s not funny. Why are you smiling?”

“Because you thought I cared.” I laugh. Tripp’s face is stoic for a second, then his mouth gapes in shock like he can’t believe I said that. “Oh, come on. It’s a joke, Tripp. I don’t give a fuck if you hooked up with Taylor. I can barely make up my own mind, so I can’t expect you to be celibate until I’m ready.”

“What if I said I’d like to not hook up with anyone else? Would that help you push Breaker out of your mind?”

Tripp’s effort is admirable. I appreciate it, but it won’t work. A part of me always wonders if Tripp loves the idea of me, the rich princess type, but doesn’t actually care about who I am as a person.

There is someone who does, though. What would my life be like if I fully pushed Breaker out of my mind? At the thought, my chest begins to ache.

“I don’t think it works that way,” I sigh. My thoughts roam to Breaker’s lips touching mine. I reach up and graze my fingers along my bottom lip, surprised I can still feel his kiss.

“Then explain to me how this works.”

My eyes widen to match his. My fight or flight instinct is to get out of here, not dare to clarify anything to him. How am I supposed to make him understand when I don’t even understand?

“Quit looking at me like that.” I cover his face with my hand, too afraid to look into the eyes of the boy who managed to somewhat rescue me from my own thoughts.

“No, I need to know what I’m up against.”

“You’ve already called a gauntlet against him, so I’m pretty sure you know what you’re up against.”

“No, because you asking for permission to invite him into your life goes a lot deeper than this gauntlet.”

“I need him,” I admit. “But I’ve grown to need you, too.” Is that even true? Why do I feel like it’s not? Then again, I’ve somehow attached myself to Tripp in a way I don’t quite understand.

“So, you date us both until, what, you figure out what you want? That’s an awfully big thing to ask.”

“Not up for it?”

“No, I’m not up for it!” he exclaims, a competitive edge in his voice. “I’d prefer if you didn’t ask me to do this.”

I wring my hands, trying to think of a way this could work.

“I need to ask something of you.” His serious face makes me wary. “Please don’t see him again until the gauntlet is done.”

My eyes flutter shut, and I work double time to regulate my breathing. If I peek, and he’s looking at me, I’m not sure I’ll be able to lie to him. Tripp is a good guy. He’s been sweet to me. Does he have his flaws? Of course, he does, but who doesn’t? I find it impossible to not fall for him. He’s easy, and sometimes easy for me is what I’m looking for.

On the count of three, I’ll open my eyes, and I’ll know what to do.

One.

Two.

Three.

Tripp’s attention is on his phone on his bedside table. As if he senses my stare, he twists to face me.

“I promise not to see him,” I lie, cupping Tripp’s face in my hands. I drop a quick kiss on his lips and rise from the bed. “I’m going to head to campus. I’m really tired after