How He Broke My Heart

Chapter 26

As I reach the house, I see Lauren sitting on the porch waiting for me. She stands up and smiles a little, but not her standard cheeky smile—a nervous one. Because I'm in a good mood from leaving Jonas', I approach her without a cold expression on my face. It wouldn't be fair for me to hold a grudge against her due to what happened with Milo—I came to her house, a complete mess, and nearly forced her to throw a party. I forgave her.

"Hi," she says, "uh, I've been texting you, but you haven't answered so I thought I'd come over and check on you. You seemed a little out of it when you left my house—thought maybe you needed some time."

"Yeah, I did, thanks. After I left your house, Brandon broke up with me. The past two weeks I've just been apologizing and trying to get back on track, you know?"

"Oh, he broke up with you? Really? Emma, I'm so sorry. Because of the party? He came in at some point looking for you, I just, I don't know. Sounds like we've both had a pretty shitty week."

Walking up the porch steps, I stand with her, leaning against the fence. "What happened?"

"Austin happened. We hooked up this weekend,"
Lauren says, ashamed. "I thought for a second that things were working out between us, but when I woke up he wasn't there. I tried to reach him, but he just sent me a text saying that we're better off as friends and that our night together was a mistake. He said that he has feelings for Kailee and that he's sorry."

"Lauren, I know you really liked him, but we know Austin. We've known him. We know what kind of guy he is."

"I know," she mumbles, "I just thought I'd be different since we've been close for so long."

Bringing my arm around her, I say, "I'm sorry. I really am, but those boys, Kaden and Austin... We deserve better. I did. You do. Okay?"

Lauren nods. "I just—I can't believe you and Brandon aren't together anymore. I feel like there's no hope for me if even you two didn't make it."

"Actually," I say, grabbing her attention. "We made up last night. I think we're doing good. So please, don't settle. Find someone worthy, Lauren."

Lauren smiles and stands up straight, fueled. "You know what? You're right. I-I'm going to go find Preston."

"Preston?"

"Yeah," she says, knowing something I don't know. "Thanks, Emma, for your help. And I'm so relieved that you two aren't over. Seriously. If you don't end up with Brandon, then maybe you really are cursed."

I laugh a little and wave when she leaves, but my smile fades quickly. If I don't end up with Brandon... I don't know what I would do. When we were broken up, I was utterly lost.

***

Ringing the doorbell to Jonas' house, I step back and wait for him to answer the door. I see him appear through the glass and lazily walk over. Before I can say anything, when he opens up, Jonas says, "Brandon's not here."

Wanting to roll my eyes, I say, "Good, because I'm not here to see him. I'm here to see you."

"Me? You mean it?" Sarcasm pools around him.

"Are you going to let me in or what?"

I follow Jonas into the kitchen. He turns around with his arms crossed. "So what could I possibly help you with?"

"Will you just tell me what's wrong already?"

He's quiet for a moment but eventually sighs. "Presley has been distant and too busy to go out, and I don't think it's looking good for us."