Chapter 36

I made sure not to be cornered by Graham at school. I knew him, and he was manipulative, and he’d do whatever it took to corral me and take me back. He sensed my vulnerability and would use it against me.

I wouldn’t allow it. Not again.

I wasn’t going to fall back into his trap. Not only for my sake, but for Jacob’s.

So, throughout the week, I avoided Graham. I knew where he went, where his classes were. It was easy except for the mornings.

Each morning, we saw each other in the hallway. His face was vacant, and I quickly walked away. I kept myself in public spaces so he couldn’t corner me.

During lunch, I locked myself in the bathroom. Just like I knew a bit of Graham, he knew me. He would think I was hiding in the library.

After school, I didn’t stay until late for swimming practice. Instead, I left as early as I could, opting to go home, away from familiar roads Graham might take and find me walking.

I managed to dodge him until Thursday. He knew I had to work, and he took advantage of it.

I was on my shift at Ashton’s when Graham showed up. I cursed under my breath because he arrived at the exact moment the diner was empty. People were at home, resting. The place was deserted.

My heart shrank at his presence. My hands were sweaty and shaky, but I managed to rein in my anger.

~He made you fall for him so he could hurt Jacob. He didn’t care about toying with your emotions. He’s a monster.~

I didn’t care how many times I had to repeat those words—every single time I thought them, I was angry. Any vulnerability St. Claire could use against me vanished. Fury was my protective barrier.

I grabbed my notepad and clenched it hard until it folded in half. Pressing my lips together, I swirled around and walked toward him. When I approached him, he glanced up. His eyes were open and disarming.

I had to glare at him.

“What do you want?” I asked. I glanced down at the empty paper. I didn’t want to look at his stupid face and his puppy eyes.

A silence fell between us. I could hear my breathing.

The hair on my back stood up when he spoke.

“You,” he croaked.

My heart twisted in bitterness. Was this guy for real? No shame at all?

Did he think that with his sad tone and face, he was going to win me back? I wasn’t the same fool who’d fallen for him.

I knew better now.

I wasn’t a violent person, but St. Claire made me want to slap him.

My muscles tensed and my face hardened. I lifted my eyes and glared at him. My fingers wrinkled the paper, and I breathed out. “Not on the menu.” My nostrils flared as I kept my tone down.

It was hard not to explode. The diner might be empty, but I didn’t want to alert my boss. It didn’t matter what my personal conflicts were; I had to be professional here. And that meant I couldn’t yell at the clients. No matter how much I wanted to set them on fire.

“But why don’t you go make another guy break up with his girlfriend?” I snarled. “Then you’ll get what you want.”

He pressed his lips and cast me a pleading look. “Hazel.”

“If you’re not ordering anything, then I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“Apple pie to go, please,” he said quickly. “That’s my father’s favorite.”

“I don’t care, St. Claire.”

I turned to grab the pie. The faster I placed his order, the quicker he’d be gone. Before I could leave him, he grabbed my hand. The touch scorched me.

I snatched my wrist.

“Wait,” he said.

“Don’t touch me.”

He exhaled. “Sorry. I just… I brought you some books too.”

I didn’t answer. He didn’t wait for my reply either; he grabbed something from a bag next to him. He placed three books on the table. They were in different genres and on my TBR list.

“I searched for recommendations on Goodreads, similar to the books you’ve read,” he explained.

It was hard to remain stoic. Why did he have to be such a great manipulator? He knew the sorts of thoughtful acts that could get me.

“Thought you might like them…”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re not buying me with books, St. Claire.”

“I know. I just wanted to give them to you.”

I shook my head. It pained me to reject books. This was like a nightmare. Decline free books? St. Claire was a monster for making me do this.

“I don’t want them,” I said. His shoulders dropped in disappointment.

I forced my legs to move. I retreated to the kitchen where I took an entire pie and boxed it. I took my sweet time.

When I was back, I put it down. I didn’t want to touch his hand by mistake.

“Do you have a second?” he questioned. Of course I had free time; the diner was empty. Despite that, I didn’t give in.

“No.”

“Let me explain, baby.”

“Here’s your pie and check,” I said, ignoring his request.

Graham exhaled. “Hazel, ~please~.”

I tried not to shudder. I lifted my chin up. “I won’t believe anything you say.”

He looked dejected and hopeless.

“Just leave me alone, St. Claire.”

At that, he shook his head, swallowing hard. “That’s the thing. I don’t give up.”

My heart clenched. “Don’t waste your time. It’s not happening. I’m not giving in.”

I wasn’t forgiving him for what he’d done, even though he had never asked for said forgiveness. He only wanted to twist me back into his claws and create more destruction along the way.

I walked away, hoping he’d left already.

Ten minutes later, I found the booth empty. I could finally breathe again.

When I went to retrieve the money, I realized he had paid twice the amount. He left a pretty nice tip that I resented.

Next to the money lay the bag with the books.

I couldn’t help but peek inside and found a note. I frowned when I read it.

~I love how bright you turn when you talk about books. I hope these bring you excitement too.~

I decided to donate the books. However, as angry as I was, I couldn’t force myself to throw the card away.