Chapter 4
I stumbled back into my dorm and fell face–first into my comforter, crashing hard from emotional exhaustion.
My sleep was restless, filled with fractured dreams–all of them about Tanner.
I was five. Someone at a family BBQ patted my head and said, “Look at this little muffin–so round and sweet!”
I burst into tears right there at the picnic table.
Tanner jumped down from his seat, ran over, and wrapped his small arms around me.
“Don’t listen to them, Addie. You’re the coolest. I like you the most.”
Then he planted a loud, silly kiss on my cheek.
All the adults laughed. I just stared at him, tears still rolling, and slowly quieted down.
From dumb playground promises to shaky first loves, we basically grew up in each other’s pockets.
Years went by like that.
He’d always say, “Crybaby Addie–who’s gonna put up with you besides me?”
And I believed him. I really thought he’d always be there.
Then sophomore year happened. And so did Ayla.
She was everything I wasn’t–the kind of girl parents warn you about.
Wild hair, bad attitude, vaped in the school parking lot and talked about skipping town after graduation.
Tanner started making excuses for her almost immediately.
“She acts tough, but she’s hurt inside. Her family’s garbage. Her dad’s a piece of work.”
He’d look at me like I just wouldn’t get it. “We understand each other. We’re the same kind of broken.”
They became inseparable.
Motorcycle rides, skate parks, cliff jumping–stuff I was “too careful” for.
He even brought her along to our study sessions. “She just needs help catching up,” he’d say.
Every date I planned got interrupted by a text from her.
I finally snapped. “Why do you always choose her over me?”
He looked annoyed. “You wouldn’t even like what we do, Addie. It’s not your vibe. I’m protecting you.”
Eventually, when I cried, he’d just sigh like I was being dramatic.
He’d stay out with Ayla all night and come back the next afternoon with cold fries or a smushed cupcake.
“You done being mad yet, crybaby?”
But nobody knew the real reason I ended it wasn’t about a stupid drink.
07:42
Delete, Block, Move On: Your Little Crybaby Upgraded to Untouchable Queen
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Chapter 4
It was the second night of pre–season. Everyone was wiped and asleep.
Tanner sneaked out with Ayla to go night–riding. Didn’t pick up his phone once.
We’d just fought earlier, so I called him–again and again. Nothing.
Then I saw a TikTok clip of a bike wreck near the interstate. My stomach dropped.
I drove out in nothing but pajamas and flip–flops.
I was in such a panic that I didn’t even park properly–just stumbled out of the car and ate pavement hard.
I scraped my knees and hands raw.
When I looked up, I saw him.
Tanner was holding Ayla, comforting her while she shook in his arms.
And right then–something in me just broke.
I was done.
Maybe nothing is forever after all.
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.