Page 36 of Fragments of You

“Would you listen to yourself...”

“Paisley.” Someone touches my arm. I know it’s Nash the instant the contact is made.

“Don’t touch me.” I smack his hand away. “Don’t either of you touch me.” I shove the cart out of my way so hard it hits one of the produce stands with a bang, causing several oranges to spill to the floor.

“Paisley.” It’s Felix who says my name this time.

“You two are children, and right now, I don’t want to be around either of you,” I spit, sprinting for the door like someone has just lit the trail behind me on fire.

My lungs feel clogged as I struggle to pull in a real breath. My hands shake and my heart is beating so hard in my chest, I’m convinced that by the time I reach the parking lot, there’s a new cavity inside of it.

“Paisley, wait!” Felix calls from behind me, easily catching up to me with his long stride.

“You knew he was there!” I turn so abruptly he almost runs directly into me. “You knew Nash was there. That’s why you kissed me again! You wanted him to see.”

“So what if I did? He still thinks you’re his. He needs to know you aren’t.”

“So you used me.”

“I never—”

“You threw me into the middle of your childish pissing match,” I cut him off. “You used me. And what you said about the needle in his arm... Why would you ever say that?”

“Why do you care what I say to him?” His voice rises.

“Because I’m not a monster. What if that is the very thing that sends him over the edge?”

“I hope it does!”

“You don’t mean that.” I take a step back.

“Yes, I do. I don’t want him here. Nothing has been right since he showed up and you’re trying to pretend like everything is fine when we both know it isn’t.”

“Clearly, I’m not the only one who’s pretending!” I shout back. “Considering all of this is coming completely out of nowhere.”

“You shouldn’t be surprised. We both know you wanted to run to him the instant you realized he was back. The only reason you didn’t is because you didn’t want to give him the satisfaction. So really, who is using who?”

“If you really think that, then why are you still standing here?”

“Honestly, I’m not even sure anymore.” His words add another slice to my already bleeding chest.

“Then I’m not sure I want to marry you either,” I fire back, letting my emotions get the better of me.

“Fine with me. We both know it’s what you really want anyway!” he screams, causing me to take another step backward.

I’ve seen Felix angry, of course I have. Couples fight. But this, this is a side of Felix that has never been directed toward me. I’m as angered by it as I am devastated that he would talk to me in such a way.

“Says the one who’s purposely pushing me away!” I yell back, swiping at an angry tear that manages to slip past my lashes.

“Keep telling yourself that, Paisley.” He snorts, like it’s the most absurd thing he’s ever heard.

I mean, sure, I’ve been a bit distracted since Nash came back to town, but if anything, it’s made me hold onto him tighter. He’s the one acting like a complete and total asshole.

“You know what, I’m done here.” I move to push past him, but he grabs my upper arm, preventing me from leaving. “Let go of me, Felix.” I try to pull my arm away, but he only tightens his grip. He’s not hurting me, not physically anyway, but that doesn’t stop me from making him think that he is. “You’re hurting me,” I whine, knowing he’ll release me in an instant, and he does.

Unfortunately, he isn’t the only one who heard me say it, and before either of us can react, Nash barrels into Felix, tackling him to the ground with a hard thud.

I watch in paralyzed shock as Nash hits Felix square in the face, his head pinging off the concrete beneath him.

---