Brandon's POV
I had no plan.
No strategy.
No clever, rehearsed lines.
Just my hands shoved deep in my pockets, a knot of frustration sitting like a stone in my chest, and the echo of Chloe's voice pounding through my skull:
"Brandon… please. I just need that journal back."
I kept replaying the way her fingers trembled when she told me.
The way her eyes searched mine — desperate, scared, trusting me with something that meant the world to her.
And the worst part?
The journal hadn't even been with Casey originally.
It had been with me.
I never told her. I couldn't bring myself to.
And God, did that guilt burn like acid.
She already knew that Casey had it. I felt I should just leave it that way.
If I had just given it back when I first found it… none of this mess would have existed.
No tears.
No fear.
No Casey drama.
But regret wouldn't solve anything now.
But action would.
