Lost Me Gained Regret

Chapter 9

Knowing Bryant was waiting for me, the last thing I expected was to find someone else in the passenger seat, especially someone who was supposed to hitch a ride, Margaret, sitting there as if she belonged..

I was on the verge of turning around and

Bryant with an outstretched hand. “Kaving, but reason held me back. I approached

Without a word, Bryant handed them over.

I circled the front of the car and slid into the driver’s seat, catching Margaret’s stiff and surprised expression. I couldn’t help but smirk. “What’s the big deal? You’re practically Bryant’s sister. Hitching a ride is the least of our worries.”

Then, leaning over to glance at Bryant still outside, I called, “Come on, get in. Timothy must be waiting.”

The drive was eerily silent like we were trapped in a tomb.

Margaret tried to strike up a conversation with Bryant but gave up, probably because it was awkward to turn back constantly.

Sensing my discomfort, Bryant suddenly handed me a bottle. “Mango juice, your favorite.”

I took a sip, grimaced, and handed it back. “Too sweet for me. You have it.”

a departure from my past self who’d eat anything not

back,

laced with complexity. “Passing back a drink you’ve sipped? You know, that’s not very clean.

in even more danger sleeping in the sam bed every

“I didn’t realize you two were still

Bryant shot back in a

it was, the usual banter between them. Margaret snarked back, “Jealous? Why would I

cares” Bryant retorted.

a smile. It reminds me of someone who, on his wedding night, heard I was

172

10:34

TOME

Chapter 9

and he sharply

before the crosswalk, my heart sour like soaked in lemon

with the bitter realization of Bryant’s absence on our wedding night, a night he had vanished after a mysterious

marriage had begun

moment, Margaret’s offhand comment had reopened that wound deeper

feeling like the butt

mouth in panic, looking at Bryant. “You never told Jane? My bad, I always speak before I think