Good, a trap. What the hell am I supposed to do about this Gabriel thing in the meantime? It was awful, Pari.

What happened??? she asked again. Did you punch him?

Thank god no, but I came close and it was incredibly stupid. I was practically begging that moron to back down.

Listen, just let me handle it. I'll play good cop and talk to Gabriel to clear this shit up.

Should I talk to Sparrow?

I'd say she owes you that much. Especially after you confronted her ex without cause lollll

Whose fault was that exactly? He texted back, clearly implicating her.

no idea what you're talking about

He replied with an angry emoji and flagged down his driver at the front of the school grounds. As he climbed into the back of the car, he crossed his arms and had a good, long stew. Of course the idiot wouldn't have broken up with her-- anyone with eyes and a brain would realize Sparrow was a keeper. He'd been operating on the assumption that Gabriel had made the mistake of breaking her heart, but it was so much more complicated now that the truth had become clear. Especially with himself implicated directly. His fingertips drummed against the fabric at his elbow as he turned the last half hour's events over and over in his brain, scowl deepening. What did it all mean? Was she throwing him under the bus as an excuse because she assumed he was untouchable and tossing around his reputation would make for the cleanest break? Or was there something to what she'd said-- that he didn't want them together? He'd voiced his disdain at the whole relationship, sure, but he didn't ever imagine she'd take him seriously. Or perhaps it was the ramblings of a desperate dumpee, and Sparrow had never uttered a word about this in the first place.

As they pulled up to the Palace, he felt one thing was clear: he had to speak to Sparrow.