When Nothing Else Matters (Heartstrings, #1)

by Katherine Jay

“You’re fucked,” he says, and it’s surprisingly sympathetic. I run a hand down my face. He’s right; I have it bad. “I know.” Joel leans forward in his chair, placing both palms on the table. “No, I don’t think you do. I’ve never seen you like this with a girl and…fuck, how do I say this without hurting you?” “She doesn’t feel the same,” I answer for him, even though I’ve seen something more between us. God, he’s probably right; I have no shot with her. Why am I even entertaining the idea? “Oh, she definitely feels something; maybe not the same, but she has some feelings for you.” Come again? That’s not what I expected him to say. A small smile pulls at my lips. But Joel’s next words stop it in its tracks. “Only, I don’t think she’s going to change for you.” Fuck! Luke said the same thing, but it went in one ear and out the other, because I didn’t want to believe him and, well…it’s Luke. But if Joel’s saying it, after all the time he’s spent with Summer and me, then I should probably pay attention. There’s just something stopping me. “You might be right, but I need to know for sure.”