Page 89 (2/2)

His grip lessened but he didn’t let go Instead, he stroked my aruy broke your heart,” he said “I’m here for you, if you want to spill You can cry on my shoulder”

I o “I’ainst his chest “I don’t need a shoulder to cry on, thanks”

“Coht as if he took my hand on his chest as an invitation for inti”

He tried to push my head onto his shoulder like he wanted me to cry

“Steve,” I said and then he tried to kissagainst my cheek only because I tried turn my head away

“I care about you, Miranda,” he said when I finally was able to pull out of his arms “I’ve been there for you all summer, and when I saw you with him, I knew he’d break your heart…”

I stepped away and wiped off my cheek, which et from his sloppy kiss “I’m fine,” I said

“How could you sleep with a jerk like hiers through my hair “Someone who could never appreciate you like I do”

I glanced around and wanted to run, but he was blocking rabbed my ars I struggled with hied to pull me into the alley a few feet

“Steve, stop,” I ed to say, my voice hoarse with shock and fear

“Hey!” I heard so at the entrance of the alley He rushed over and grabbed Steve by the collar and pulled him away from me “Leave her the fuck alone”

Beckett shook Steve and Steve didn’t resist Beckett had about fifty pounds on him and was a few inches taller

“You leave her alone,” Steve replied, his hands on Beckett’s, which were almost wrapped around Steve’s neck “You broke her heart”

“Get the fuck out of here,” Beckett said, his fist rearing back, “before I punch your lights out I could report you for assault…”

“Don’t,” I said and put o home”