Chapter 16 He picked up his shattered phone and stumbled out . [ ] His back looked so broken it was almost painful to watch . But I forced myself to stay cold and kept working . [ ] After closing that night , I saw him still standing across the street . The streetlight stretched his shadow out long and thin , like some lost kid . ] I locked up and went upstairs . Didn't look back . [ ] Being kind to the wrong person is just being cruel to yourself . [ ] I'd learned that lesson the hard way . ] On the seventh day , it poured . Just like the night he ditched me . [ ] Dylan still showed up . Completely soaked , looking like hell . [ ] " Sir , you're dripping all over my floor . " I tossed him a towel , keeping it strictly business . [ ] He caught it and tried to dry off . " Avery , it's your birthday today . " [ ] I stopped cold . Oh , he was right . ] I'd been so busy the past few months , I totally forgot . [ ] " Happy birthday . " ] He pulled this little jewelry box out of his wet jacket . A bracelet , actually pretty nice . [ ] " I remember you always wanted this one . " ] He was right . Senior year , I'd seen this bracelet at the mall . Way too expensive , so I didn't buy it . Just stood there staring at it through the window . [ ] He actually remembered that . [ ] " Thanks , but I can't take it . " I pushed the box back . [ ] " Why not ? " His voice was shaking . " It's a birthday present . " [ ] " We're not friends anymore . I can't accept expensive gifts from strangers . " [ ] Strangers . ] That word hit him like a physical blow . [ ] Chapter 16 His face went dead white . " Avery , we've known each other for eighteen years . Eighteen years ! How are we strangers ? " ] " From the moment you called me a leech . " I stated it like a simple fact . [ ] He looked like I'd just punched him in the gut . Swayed on his feet like he might pass " I … I didn't mean it like that … " " Doesn't matter what you meant . " I cut him off . " You said it . " [ ] " And you let everyone use it to destroy me . " [] " And when I needed you most , you chose her . " Every word hit him like a slap . The tears finally started . [ ] This six - foot - tall guy was bawling like a baby in front of my entire coffee shop . ] ] " I'm sorry , I'm so sorry … " He kept saying it over and over like a broken record . [ ] " Dylan , I got your apology . " I handed him some napkins . [ ] " Now get the hell out of my life . " [ ] " Just like I got out of yours . " ] " For good this time . " He broke down completely . [ ] Everyone in the shop was staring and whispering . ] My manager came over . " Avery , should I call the cops ? " ] I shook my head . " No need . He's leaving . " Dylan stumbled to his feet . " Avery , I'm not giving up . " [ ] " I'll spend my whole life making this right if I have to . " ] A Then he staggered out into the pouring rain . Didn't even have an umbrella . [ ] Just like me that night . [ ] out . ] Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!