Page 118 of Heart of Thorns

“I imagine you guys were probably together? Do you remember what he was doing?”

His gaze sharpens. “Yeah. Well, it was horrible. We were close. I remember him telling me that Briar was painting over there. I thought it was kind of a dick move of him to be at the party, and he agreed that he should be with her. Then I heard the sirens a little while after and…” He shivers. “I don’t know, man. I didn’t think much of it—I guess I just assumed he got to her after the fire started. But do you think someone started it?”

“Yeah, it’s looking like it. There’s still an open police investigation, but they haven’t done much. No leads or something.” My stomach twists, and nausea rolls through me. “Thanks.”

“Good luck with your search.”

He heads back inside, and I text Rhys.

Me

Ben left the party early that night. Before the fire started.

He’s got no alibi, Rhys. Meet me on the back porch. This is starting to feel too fucking real.

It’s Ben Patterson.

Briar’s ex-boyfriend tried to kill her.

CHAPTER 38

BRIAR

It’s ratherdifficult to remember why I ever dated Ben to begin with.

I stand in front of him and I see his mouth moving, except I don’t hear a word he says. I recall the moments we had together as a couple and he seemed normal. Like your typical college guy.

Nothing like Thorne. But still normal.

Why would he try to kill me?

I rack my brain. There weren’t even any red flags when it came to him.

Besides, of course, fucking some girl behind my back.

But nothing malicious or even potentially dangerous ever stood out. He grew up fine, too. I’ve met his parents. They’re a lot like mine—middle-class, hardworking, and much kinder than Thorne’s.

Ben raises his brows, like he’s waiting for me to say something.

“Sorry, I checked out,” I say.

Rhys laughs from behind me. “I think that means you’re boring.”

Ben glares over my shoulder.

“I just want to know why…?” I leave my question open-ended on purpose. I watch him closely to see his reaction.

It isn’t what I hoped for. There is no defensiveness or tic of his eye. Only defeat.

“Because I was an ass.”

I watch his mannerisms. Instead of acting defensive or worried, he seems…sad.

“After the fire, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know how to handle you or how to make things better. I was a lousy boyfriend and I think cheating on you was my way of self-sabotaging.”

He went directly to the cheating.As if starting a fire didn’t even cross his mind.

I peer over my shoulder at Rhys, but he’s staring at his phone with a scowl.