The Last Time Read Online Free PDF Page B

better. “No.” I grabbed the bag and headed back into the hallway.
    Flynn yanked it back. “Please trust me, Hazel. I can prove it to you. Let’s talk to my friends. Let’s even talk to Zahara. If we confront her together, she’ll admit what she did.”
    “Give me the bag.” I was blocking him out. I just needed to get out of here.
    “No. Let’s talk about this.” He was growing desperate, his eye starting to redden.
    “If you don’t give me the bag and let me leave, I will call Cortland and all the guys and ask them to help me. When I tell them what you did to me, every bone in your body will be broken. I suggest you hand it over.”
    Flynn dropped the bag and gripped his skull. “I can’t believe this is happening…”
    I grabbed the handle then put it over my shoulder.
    When Flynn looked at me again, his eyes were heavy with tears. I’d never seen him cry before. “Hazel, please. You’re making a mistake.”
    I couldn’t look at him anymore.
    “Please.” He reached for me but I stepped out of his way. “I love you so much. You know how much I love you.”
    “I have to go.”
    The tears fell down his face. “You know I would never do this to you. Come on, Hazel. That’s not me. I’m not a cheater.”
    I opened the door and walked out. “Don’t call me.”
    He followed me, desperation on his face. “I’ll beg.” He fell to his knees. “Please. I’m being set up. You have to believe me.”
    I didn’t look at him. This was too hard. The past few months were the best of my life, but they were built on lies. Flynn didn’t love me. He never did. “I’ll get the rest of my stuff tomorrow. If you don’t want to be jumped, I suggest you don’t be here.” Without looking back, I left the hallway and took the stairs.

5
    Cortland
    Less than a year ago, Monnique lost her mother to a fatal car accident. It happened so quickly and so suddenly Monnique couldn’t grieve properly. I was there for the funeral and the weeks and months afterwards, standing by her side and letting her cry in my arms. I hated seeing the pain she was in.
    And now her father passed away. Two parents in one year…
    There was no question where I should be. I would stand by her side because that’s where I belonged. I never loved anyone so much in my life. I would do everything and anything for her.
    I drove to her apartment and almost slammed into a car. I was in such a hurry that I was reckless. After Scarlet told me the truth, I couldn’t believe Monnique didn’t tell me herself. But after the way I screamed at her and made her cry, it wasn’t that surprising.
    I ran all the way to her floor then pounded on the door harder than I meant to. My adrenaline was still strong and I was desperate for her. When she didn’t answer, I pounded again. I hoped she didn’t leave on an early flight.
    She finally opened the door, her cheeks puffy and her eyes wet. “Cortland?”
    I stepped inside then wrapped my arms around her, making a blanket with my body and keeping her safe. I couldn’t make the pain go away, but I could comfort her as much as I could. “I’m so sorry….”
    She stilled then sniffed. She didn’t move from my arms but she didn’t return the affection. She simply stood there.
    My hand rubbed the back of her neck and I listened to her breathing.
    She pulled away and looked at me, her eyes emotional. “Why are you here?”
    I thought that was obvious. “Scarlet told me what happened.”
    She sighed. “It’s terrible…”
    I wanted to cry because I felt so bad for her, but I kept a straight face and stayed strong. That’s what she needed. “Do you know what happened?”
    She nodded. “Heart attack. According to the paramedics, it happened quickly. If he suffered, he didn’t suffer long.” She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment, stilling her tears. When she was better, she opened them.
    “I’m so sorry.” I wanted to say something better but I couldn’t think of