Thirty and Single.

Chapter 22.

I pulled out my phone and dialled Corey's number with trembling fingers.

It rang once. Twice.

Straight to voicemail.

I tried again. Same thing.

My hands fell to my lap. My phone slipped out of them.

How could I be this stupid?

I had destroyed something good, something safe and warm, for a kiss that didn't even come with certainty. I broke a man who gave me nothing but tenderness... for someone who left me in the cold for weeks without a word.

Tears streamed down my cheeks like they'd been waiting for permission to fall. I couldn't stop them even if I tried.

I barely heard Brooklyn until she was right next to me.

"Genesis, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

I shook my head, gripping my arms like I was trying to keep myself from falling apart. "I'm so stupid," I said, my voice cracking under the weight of guilt.

"No, don't say that, sweetie," Brooklyn said gently. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me.

But I couldn't hold back anymore. I collapsed into her.

"I ruined everything, Brooklyn. He left me. He left me."

"Shhh..." she whispered, stroking my back. "It's okay. It's okay."

"H-he saw us," I sobbed, the words catching in my throat. "He saw me and Colton. He saw us kissing. The look on his face... I made him sad, Brooklyn. I broke him."

She pulled back and looked at me, eyes wide with sympathy. "Genesis... you made a mistake, but tomorrow, go talk to him. Maybe he'll understand. Corey's a good man. Maybe he—"

"No," I interrupted. "He won't understand. I wouldn't if I were him. I just... broke a man's heart."

Brooklyn opened her mouth to say something, but I shook my head. "Go back to the party, okay? Go back to Logan. I just... I want to be alone."

She hesitated. "I can't leave you like this. I'll take you home."

"I'll be fine. Just... please."

Without waiting for her response, I turned and started walking down the street. The satin dress dragged across the pavement. My heels were already in my hand, my feet aching from both pain and exhaustion. I walked barefoot, unsure of where I was going, just needing to move.

Eventually, I found myself in front of my apartment.

I unlocked the door, climbed the stairs, and threw myself onto the bed. The weight of it all crashed down on me. I cried until I couldn't breathe. Until the pillow was soaked. Until sleep finally dragged me under like a riptide.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I heard the knocking.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

I sat up, startled. My phone read 12:03 AM.

My heart jumped.

Maybe it's Corey.

I ran to the door, flinging it open—

But it wasn't Corey.

It was Colton.

His shirt was half-unbuttoned, his hair slightly dishevelled like he'd run his hands through it a dozen times. His face softened with relief when he saw me.