Page 56 of Spiral

Danny laughs, shaking his head.

“Come on, Cap. It can’t be that bad. Since when do you have trouble winning over a girl?”

I shrug my shoulders, not bothering to come up with a response.

“You’re seriously gonna let Todd Watson win? You’re gonna let him touch her, and kiss her, and put his kids in her–”

“Bruh–”

“I’m serious, dude. You need to go get your girl. Tell her the truth. She’ll understand.”

Danny looks at me desperately, pleading for me to get my shit together.

He’s right. I’ve wanted Georgia since the first second I saw her. She’s consumed my every thought, every feeling, every need for months. And now what? I’m gonna let that fuckface Watson lie to her and hurt her? He doesn’t want Georgia, he wants to fuck with me.

I sit up, a new sense of clarity and determination burning deep in my chest.

I told her I’d always try to protect her.

And I meant it.

32 | Georgia

“HE DID WHAT?!” Eleanor screeches, her cheeks fiery with rage.

“H-He’s been with her the whole time,” I stammer, feeling the tears building behind my eyes again. “He lied to me.”

“You’re sure it wasn’t just like, a congratulatory friend peck?”

“Do congratulatory friend pecks involve sticking her tongue down his throat on national television?”

Her brows crease in concern as she reaches out to hold my hand.

“I’m so sorry, G. God, you really can’t catch a break with these dudes. Holy crap.”

“Maybe we need to just take a break from men. Forever,” I mutter, chuckling as a silent tear runs down my cheek.

“We?”

“Okay, maybe I need to take a break from men forever.”

She giggles and wipes the stray tear from my cheek with her palm.

“You can’t take a break from men and go out with Todd Watson,” she reminds me, a look of compassion blanketing her features as she continues to hold my hand.

“God, I don’t know why I said yes. I don’t even know him–”

“‘Cause he’s hot and Henry betrayed you,” she interrupts matter-of-factly.

I look at her, wide-eyed, and she shrugs nonchalantly.

“Am I wrong?”

“... No.”

33 | Henry

A KNOCK ON the door echoes from downstairs as Danny and I finish putting together the plan of action for Friday night.