I'm really sorry , Drielle . I didn't mean to interrupt you two . Tanner's been in such a funk all day because you're mad at him . " I had zero interest in her fake concern . Her grip was cutting off circulation - I yanked my arm free with enough force to send her stumbling . Harper's eyes instantly filled with crocodile tears . " Tanner , is Drielle still upset about me joining your group tonight ? " " I can apologize properly if you want . I hate that you two are fighting because of me , " She moved like she was about to bow in front of me - the full dramatic performance . Tanner's face went nuclear . He spun around and caught her arm . " Why the hell would you apologize to her ? She's the one throwing a tantrum . " " Drielle , what's wrong with you ? Shoving people around ? You owe Harper an apology . " " You'll all be at the same school anyway - you should be looking out for each other . " Heat exploded in my chest. My vision went red . " Since you love playing knight in shining armor so much , you two can protect each other all you want . " I stormed off , ignoring Tanner's sharp warning behind me : " Drielle ! You're way out of line here . " They didn't return for what felt like hours . When they finally came back , Tanner looked like he'd swallowed broken glass , while Harper was all glowing and bashful - like she'd just won the lottery , Everyone except Joy immediately started making jokes about their " mysterious disappearance , " and during truth or dare , they kept engineering intimate moments between them . Even Tanner's oldest friends joined in , completely ignoring how this might gut me . Right . Because in their eyes , I was just Tanner's pathetic little shadow . Tanner shot me a calculating glance - testing me , daring me to react - before agreeing to play along with Harper . In the past , I would've jumped up screaming . Now ? I felt like I was watching my own funeral . Harper had been cheer captain , and with her perfect body , she knew exactly how to command a room . I cracked open another beer and forced myself to watch as she moved to some sultry pop track , her body practically molded to Tanner's like they were made for each other , A lazy smile played at his lips . At first he kept glancing my way , waiting for me to lose it and shut down their little show . But as Harper's movements grew more suggestive , he forgot the rest of us existed . His focus locked on her every curve , every roll of her hips . The sexual tension was suffocating . When the song ended , Harper " accidentally " tumbled into Tanner's lap . Her tight dress had ridden up dangerously high , and the way she straddled him looked like soft - core porn . The room exploded in wolf whistles and crude comments . Harper's face went scarlet , like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole . 13.8 % Chapter 16 Tanner cursed at everyone to knock it off , playing the protective boyfriend . But his hands were already cradling her face against his chest , shielding her from the crowd like she was made of spun glass . That tender protectiveness , that natural intimacy - it used to be mine . Even though I'd made my choice , watching it happen felt like being slowly flayed alive . I couldn't breathe . I slammed down my beer and bolted from the room , my chest tight with rage and heartbreak . Joy followed , and we spent the next hour on the street while she unleashed every curse word in the English language about Tanner and Harper . She'd been biting her tongue all night , and I'd stopped her from causing a scene multiple times . What was the point anymore ? After tonight , we'd be nothing to each other . I had no idea how their little performance ended , and frankly , I didn't give a damn . When I got home , it was . Five minutes until the application deadline . I collapsed on my bed fully clothed , feeling like I'd been hit by a truck . I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't shattered into a million pieces . You can't just flip a switch on eighteen years of loving someone . My phone rang - unknown number . I picked up to hear Tanner's voice , thick with alcohol and something that almost sounded like regret : " Hey , Drielle … come on , don't be like this . You need to change your application , okay ? " " Atlanta's actually amazing - sunshine , beaches , the whole thing . I'll take you to those Instagram - worthy spots you're always saving when we get there . " 14.2 %