The rest of his words were cut off by the slam of my door . Back in the living room , I grabbed the cake Tanner had brought and hurled it into the trash with enough force to rattle the can . Fuck his stupid peace offering . Who wanted to third - wheel his romantic getaway with Harper anyway ? Even his pathetic attempt at damage control - trying to keep both his childhood sweetheart and his shiny new toy happy - was insulting . I collapsed onto the couch , my chest burning with rage and humhation . To avoid letting him completely destroy my sanity , I decided to take my own trip . They say it takes 21 days to build a habit . Maybe it only takes 21 days to break one too - including the habit of loving someone who'd never love me back . Mom was nervous about me traveling abroad alone , but she agreed to let me stay with my aunt in Miami for a while . Since applications were done and I had nothing left to lose , I threw some clothes in a bag and booked a red - eye to Florida that same night . By 10 PM , I was sitting in my aunt's beachfront house , demolishing a seafood platter under the stars . The ocean breeze carried the smell of grilled shrimp and salt air , washing away the toxic memories of last night . For the first time in days, I could actually breathe . I couldn't resist posting to Instagram - a gorgeous sunset shot with my feast spread out below , captioned " Sometimes the best company is your own ? " Joy and the girls immediately started blowing up my DMs with jealous comments , already planning to crash my solo retreat . The next morning , my cousin's voice dragged me from the first peaceful sleep I'd had in weeks . Bright Florida sunshine was already streaming through the windows . " Hey , zombie . Someone's calling for you . Had to track down our ancient landline - your ridiculously hot childhood friend . " She handed me the phone with a knowing smirk . Still half - asleep and sun - drunk , I answered without thinking . Of course it was Tanner . " Drielle , everyone's here except you . We board in thirty minutes - where the hell are you ? " " Why did you block me again ? Your mom said you were sleeping at your cousin's . Did she come to New York ? " Tanner sounded frantic , like his perfect plan was falling apart . Good . I came fully awake , letting satisfaction coat my voice . " Nope . I came to her . I'm in Miami . Tanner's tone turned sharp with disbelief and irritation " Quit fucking around . You were home yesterday - just get your ass here and you can still make the flight . " " I told you I wasn't going . Stop wasting time waiting for me . " Dead silence on the other end . Then I heard Harper's soft voice in the background : " Drielle really is in Miami . This is from her Instagram story last night - my friend showed me . … .." 17.4 % Chapter 20 Oh right . Harper would know , since Tanner couldn't see my posts anymore after I blocked him everywhere . The irony was delicious . " Believe me now ? " I asked sweetly . Tanner seemed too furious to form coherent words . Just before I hung up , I caught his voice , low and poisonous : " Drielle , you're gonna fucking regret this . " The threat sent a chill down my spine , but I smiled anyway . " Probably not . "