The coffee tasted bitter in my mouth as I sat across from Rowan, the full weight of what had just happened crushing my chest. I'd lied to Rhys. I'd actually lied to my mate to protect someone I barely knew. The realization made me feel sick.
"I should get back to my dorm," I said quietly, standing up.
Rowan's smile didn't reach his eyes as he gathered his things. "I'll walk you. You still need to get your phone from my room, remember?"
Right. The "fixed" phone. Another part of his elaborate scheme.
"Fine," I replied, too numb to argue.
We walked in silence across campus, the evening air chilly against my tear-stained face. Every step felt like I was walking deeper into quicksand. Everything in me screamed to run, to find Rhys, to explain what had happened. But what was there to explain? I had chosen to lie. That was the simple, painful truth.
"You're awfully quiet," Rowan commented, his casual tone making my skin crawl.
