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

ed me so fiercely, the boy I had convinced myself was still beneath the layers of his arrogance. Th

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

ce. When he heard my calm declaration, his jaw tightened. He seemed to be expecting tears,

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

rformance designed to provoke me, to reaffir

roken. There was no

e on my face, and started talking about summer pl

wasn't part of the script. I was supposed to be chasing him, begging him, reminding him of what he was losing. M

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

now, I couldn't bear to see him with another girl. He thought one word of protest from me would be enough

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

fury. His face went rigid, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscle jump. My indifference hadn't just surpris

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