The Ninety-Ninth Goodbye

ana

ng my temple, I walked into Tyler's graduation party. My friends had practically dragged m

nd Catalina were in the center of a laughing group, his arm draped p

nes who still held out hop

g between me and the happy couple across the room. "Ev

tired smile. "Yeah.

real. Not like the sha

s are Jax-and-Eliana," Madison said, as if it was an immuta

because you said you liked the smell?" Chloe reminisced, a sad look on

that senior cheerleader because he said he was 'savi

to be, the boy who had loved me so fiercely. The past was a beautiful, su

change." I nodded my head subtly toward the other side of the room.

pression on his face. When he heard my calm declaration, his jaw tightene

r, his hand sliding lower on her back, and whispered something

cruel performance designed to provok

roken. There was no

e on my face, and started talking about summer pl

ssed his face. This wasn't part of the script. I was supposed to be chasing him, begging him

tightened her grip on his arm, pouting up at him. He he

ttle was spun, and the night air grew thick with a new k

her eyes already fin

s new friends, smirked. "I dare you to give a

ery single eye in the circle swiveled to Jax. H

t me, her eyes glinting with malice. "Eliana, y

g with false sympathy. "She's his ex, C

eryone's eyes on me, waiting for my reaction. I looked at Jax. His gaze was intense, bur

see him with another girl. He thought one word of protest from me would be enough to reaffirm

difference. "Why would I mind?" I said, my voice

raw, unfiltered fury. His face went rigid, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jump. M

his voice dangerously soft. He grabbed Catalina's face with a roughn

ctacle of possession and rage. He was kissing her, but he was trying to

of everyone, felt their pity, their morbid curiosity. It was like

away, Catalina was brea

ed with a wicked grin, "So, Jax? Ho

me. They were dark, filled wi

ough for everyone to hear. "Catalina is