The Bet (Book 1 in The Deception Series)

Chapter 37: memories and hurt

Taylor

~~~~~~

"All Too Well (10 Minute Version)"- Taylor Swift

I lay in bed, staring at the necklace that was sitting on my nightstand. The necklace he got me for Christmas. I took it off that night, I hated having it around my neck, it hurt to wear it. Taylor Swift's song, "All Too Well" plays silently in the background. I've had this song on repeat for the last hour. I was starting to get sick of it because it reminded me how much of an idiot I was for letting myself trust that man. I've been rotting in my bed the whole week, I barely went to class either. I dropped out of communications because I couldn't handle seeing him again.

My whole life, I made sure to keep myself away from the rest of the world, never let myself leave this shell I had created after my father left. And then I met him and everything changed. I let him inside my shell and he pulled me out. And now I was praying the price.

It was all fake. Every little thing was fake, I couldn't wrap my mind around any of it. I felt the pit in my stomach grow more and more each time I thought about everything he has ever said to me.

"What about you? What's your dream job?"

I shrug, "I've always wanted to be an author. I've written so many stories and read so many books. I just want to see my name on the cover of a book one day." I explain.

He smiles, "That's amazing."

"Yeah, but if I told anyone that, they'd probably just laugh in my face." I say as I pick at my food.

"Who cares? If it's something you want then you need to go get it." He tells me.

I look at him and think about his words, "Yeah, I guess."

"Don't let anyone bring you down, Taylor. Trust me." He says as he looks down at his food.

My mind was playing back every moment I shared with him, analyzing it all. Trying to understand how I missed it.

"No, wait. What's wrong? Is this because I said I wasn't going to kiss you?" He asks.

I looked at him in disbelief, was this idiot serious?

"What do you think, Garrett? You tell me you like me and when I finally tell you how I feel and you do that?" I snap at him.

"Woah, woah, woah. I never said I didn't like you. Of course I like you." He tells me.

"Then why didn't you kiss me?" I ask.

"Because I want to kiss you when we're both sober. I want to remember it. I want to feel it and never forget it." He explains.

I looked at him in shock, not expecting him to say that.

"But you've kissed so many girls before. I'm just another one to add to your list." I say, my sober thoughts escaping with drunk words.

"Not to me, you aren't. You are more than just another girl, Taylor." He whispers.

"I'm not?" I ask in shock.

He shakes his head, "I've felt like I've been drowning my whole life, Taylor. But you... you're like a breath of fresh air."

I stare at the clock on my nightstand that reads 2am. I wanted to sleep, I was exhausted but everytime I closed my eyes, I just pictured him.

He stares at me and shakes his head, "You need to leave me, Taylor. Please. Protect yourself from me."

I shake my head, "No."