Page 22 of The Torment of Two

I smirk. “I can’t even figure out your door handle half the time. It’s basically a damn spaceship.”

We continue to joke around and eat pizza. Calm washes over me. When we finally finish, we abandon our table to try to see who’s the better pinball player.

It’s me, of course.

By the time we leave and part ways, the terrible feeling in my gut from seeing a certain someone this morning has nearly subsided.

Hopefully, I can ride this feeling until I’m forced to see her again on Wednesday.

Until then, I refuse to be tormented by her.

Gemma

I didn’t drop the class.

After sleeping on it a couple of nights, anger settled deep in my gut. I’m not going to let some jerk who doesn’t even know how to drive scare me away.

On Monday night, I sent him pictures of my notes. He actually responded, which was surprising, with “K,” which was not surprising at all.

Asshole.

But it’s been a couple of days and I’m feeling more prepared to handle Two this time.

As I pull into the parking lot at PMU for my building, I squint against the morning rays and hunt for a parking spot that my big beast of a vehicle will fit into. I see one several spots away and start forward. A flash of olive green darts out from between two cars. Despite slamming on my brakes, I’m not quick enough.

Thunk!

The person—I hit a freaking person—goes down and out of sight. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening! With my heart in my throat, I throw the car into park and then jump out.

“Oh my God!” I cry out, rounding the front of my vehicle to inspect the damage.

What if they’re dead?

I wasn’t going that fast, right?

A man sits on his ass, rubbing at his shoulder. I drop to my knees in front of him, panic clawing at me, and desperately run my palms over his shoulder, looking for broken bones sticking out.

“I’m so sorry,” I choke out, eyes prickling with tears. “I didn’t see you and—”

I finally meet the stare of the person I hit and recognize the chilly light-gray eyes of Two. Of all the people to hit…

“Did you hit me on purpose?” Two asks, scowling at me. “That’s fucked up.”

I shake my head, scoffing. “What? No. You came out of nowhere! Seriously, what is it with you and parking lots?”

His eyes narrow. “I could ask you the same.”

The initial shock of running into him wears off and irritation needles its way through me. “Are you hurt?” I demand, voice sharp. “Yes or no?”

His nostrils flare. “I’ll live.”

I hear people laughing nearby. I’m sure we’re quite the spectacle. With a groan, I stand back up and offer my hand to help him to his feet. He reluctantly takes my hand, his freakishly large hand swallowing mine. Once he’s standing, he jerks his hand out of mine like it’s tainted with poison.

He stalks off without another glance in my direction. My heart continues to hammer in my chest as I climb back into my vehicle and park it.

I can’t believe I hit Two Sheridan.

Even if he did deserve it…

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