Seven Years of Love Seven Minutes of Truth

Chapter 14

He practically shoved me into the hotel’s private lounge, the door slamming behind us with a final–sounding click.

Blocking the exit with his six–foot frame, Aiden towered over me, his perfectly tailored suit doing nothing to hide the tension in his shoulders. His voice shook with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

“Real mature, Brooklyn! Throwing away everything we planned just to spite me? Running off to Stanford? We had our whole future mapped out!”

I lifted my chin, finally finding the courage I’d spent all summer building. My voice came out steadier

than I felt.

“I’m allowed to have my own dreams. Why does my entire life have to revolve around your plans? God,

Aiden, do you even hear yourself?”

and delivered the blow I’d been holding back: “And be honest –

or because you’re

perfect prep school composure cracked. “What’s that

sound so… cheap. We’re adults.

Don’t tell me you’re still hung

to meet his

that much.

who doesn’t want me. But you knew exactly how I felt about you, and you watched me throw myself at you like some lovesick fool. Did you enjoy the ego boost? Having your

–

thing about people like Aiden – they never understand that people don’t walk away until

back like I’d physically struck him, his back hitting the expensive wallpaper. “How can you… what are you even… you…” For once in

boy was

him develop since his first Model UN conference. “We’ve known each other since third grade. We’re seniors now. Since you’ve chosen to throw away a decade of friendship, let’s not pretend anymore. Have fun in California.”