Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
That urge was mounting when I got in touch with Megan on my new phone and she sent me pictures of the Vipers’ latest win and said I missed an ‘amazing’ game.
He can still play amazing games, so maybe I should ruin his final college season.
Maybe I let him off the hook too easily and should have hurt him as badly as he tore me apart.
I should have burrowed so deep beneath his skin that he’d be tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep, his head only full of thoughts of me. I should’ve made him so attached to me that life without my presence feels bland and tasteless.
Because that’s how it’s felt for me lately, no matter how tough I tried to act.
But now, I won’t get the chance to act on my promises, because he’s come here of his own volition.
Asking for it.
I jump up, storm back to the garage, and reach for the axe, my hand shaking around the chipped wooden handle as I rush back outside.
“Are you going to stab me with that?” he asks nonchalantly.
It pisses me off.
How could he still look absolutely gorgeous in a brown wool coat, dark denim jeans, and a beige cardigan? His hair is styled back, his face is covered with a light stubble, and those eyes…icy, cool, and downright provocative.
Why isn’t he a mess?
How can he be so put together?
“I told you I’d kill you if I saw you again.” I point the axe at him. “Don’t blame me for your chopped-off arm.”
He pulls his hands from his pockets and opens them wide. “Do it.”
My hand freezes on the cool handle.
“Which one?” He stretches out his right hand. “My dominant arm for maximum damage? I’ll give it to you.”
“As if you’d let me hurt your precious arm.”
“I would.”
“What about hockey?”
“Irrelevant.”
“You’re bluffing.”
“Try, then. If you attack me, I won’t move.” There’s no hint of mockery in his voice. It’s firm and grounded, and I know, I just know that if I do attack, he’ll let me injure him.
I let the axe fall to the ground, its clang echoing in the silence. “You’ve…lost your mind.”
“I don’t, usually. I’m actually the calmest person I know and the voice of reason in the middle of a storm. But all those qualities seem to vanish when you’re around.”
His voice isn’t as commanding as it normally is. There’s a weariness to it, making it a bit huskier. Now that I look closer, faint dark circles surround his eyes.
“So it’s my fault?” Emotions rip my chest open and my words come out too guttural. Too harsh.
“Yes. You ruined my life, and I need you to take responsibility.”
I storm toward him and punch him in the chest. “You’re the one who ruined my life!” Punch. “You lied to me.” Punch. “Used me.” Punch. “Made me trust you, then betrayed me!”
Kane doesn’t move, doesn’t attempt to stop or even console me. He lets me drive my fists into him, over and over, until my strength wanes and my eyes sting.
I’m not going to cry. I will not let this asshole see me cry.
I’m so mad at myself for not being able to stab him.
Hurt him as much as he hurt me.
But the very thought of his pain only brings me pain.
Just when the hell will these emotions disappear?
I need to get over him and go back to the life I knew before him, even if I don’t clearly remember it.
“Are you done?” His words are smooth as silk. “Will you listen to me now?”
“There’s nothing you could say that I’d want to listen to.” I step away, my shoulders hunched, all my fight gone. “Just go away and don’t show me your face again.”
“Not going to happen. So either you listen to me, or I’ll stay here until you will.”
This motherfucker.
I glance back at the house and Vi, who’ll probably have a panic attack if she sees him.
Worse, what if Jude is also here?
She becomes so weird when he’s mentioned. I don’t want to think about her reaction if she were to actually see him.
“Make it quick and leave,” I say.
“I never used or betrayed you. Technically, I didn’t lie to you either.”
His words clash with the wind and slap me across the face.
I think I’m really going to stab him this time.
“So your knowing about Violet, about the reason why I even approached you, is not a lie? Toying with me while you knew everything was not using me?”
“It’s not.” He spills out a harsh breath, his chest straining against his cardigan. “I never toyed with you. Do you believe I’d be with someone as difficult as you if I were toying with you? Do you think I liked it when you were trying to figure me out? When you put your nose in my business and tried everything under the sun to make me lose control? I hated it. I hated it so much, it messed with my head. I tried to keep my distance and discard you, but we wouldn’t be here if I’d succeeded. So no, Dahlia. There was no using or betrayal involved. I decided to keep you after that time I fucked you on the hood of my car. Nothing and no one will change that. Not even you.”