Delete, Block, Move On: Your Little Crybaby Upgraded to Untouchable Queen novel Chapter 11

Chapter 11

In just a few days, Tanner had become completely unrecognizable.[]

He looked utterly wrecked–a cigarette dangling between his fingers, eyes bloodshot and shadowed like he hadn’t slept in days.]]

“So what’s this, Addie? What’s really going on?“]]

He finally noticed the daylight behind me–the kind of soft, grey London light that Michigan never gets. The reality seemed to hit him all at once.

“Where are you?“]]

I didn’t flinch.]

“Tanner, I told you. We’re broken up. I don’t need to update my ex on my life. And leave my mother out of this.“[]

“Ex?” He let out a wet, broken laugh around the cigarette.]

Then his voice cracked.]]

“All this… over a fucking Gatorade? You blew up our entire relationship… over a drink?“[]

“Yeah. So?“]

“God… Jesus Christ,” he mumbled, wiping his face with the back of his hand. “I don’t… I don’t even get you.“[]

“You followed me to Michigan. You turned down Oxford for me. And now you drop out, leave the country–without a word–because I handed a drink to someone else?“[]

He was fully crying now. “I don’t accept this, Addie. You don’t get to just quit us.‘

“You agreed to the breakup.“]

“That wasn’t real! You were pissed–I thought you needed space! I was waiting for you to come back!“]

“What you thought doesn’t matter,” I said, voice cold. “You got sick of my tears. Well, I got sick of crying over you. We’re done.“[]

He stared, genuinely lost. “When did I ever say I was sick of you crying?“]

“You really don’t remember?“]]

My smile was thin. “That night at the bar with Ayla… her ‘accidental‘ video call. I heard you, Tanner.“[]

I held his red–rimmed eyes. “All the crying… it’s exhausting. Ring any bells?”

He went pale.[]

“I was just–frustrated! I didn’t mean it! If I hated it, why did I always come back? Why did I put up with every fight? I loved us.“]

Tears streaked down his stubbled face. “When you didn’t text for two weeks, it tore me apart. I waited every day… Why would you think I didn’t want you?“]]

“When I realized you weren’t back at school…” His breath hitched. “I lost it, Addie. I called everyone. I thought something happened to you. I never thought you’d just… leave me.‘

His voice dropped to a raw whisper. “How could you be this cold?“]

He laughed bitterly.

“You’re still hung up on Ayla… which means you still care. Don’t you.“]]

Silence.[]

“Don’t you dare block me again. That’s my last line.“[]

His voice was rough, desperate. “Don’t make me fly to the UK and find

you,

Absolutely delusional.[]

I ended the call.]

)(0)

Addie.“]