Page 107 of Dare To Break

Guilt sends my stomach tumbling off a cliff into a sickly plunge. “I’m sorry.”

“Elliot was ready to drive down there, but I assured him you’d be fine.” Her words are cold and sharp. “You’re a big girl and old enough to take care of yourself.”

Bitterness rises in my throat, but I hold back my hot, angry words. I’ve been taking care of myself since I was six. I cleaned up her messes and fed us both, been the adult she should have been, but I don’t remind her of that. “Yes, Elena.”

“I have to go. My yoga class is starting. I’ll call you over the weekend.”

The line goes dead, leaving me in painful silence and hate.

***

“Are you okay? Do you need to lean on me for support?”

We’re walking slowly across the campus. I shake my head, wincing when it hurts.

“Honestly, I’m fine. They gave me painkillers for my head, and my knee is just a little scraped up.”

Curfew is approaching, and students are wandering toward the dorm. People are looking our way and others whispering when we pass. It’s enough to have my anxiety up and my palms sweaty.

My gaze collides with a pair of green eyes.

Eli.

He’s with Kellan, and we’re coming from opposite directions toward the dorm building.

He stares at me with such intensity that it creeps me out. Maybe he’s disappointed that I didn’t break my neck. I’m sure that would have given him some sick kind of satisfaction.

Ducking my head, I hunch my shoulders and keep my attention on the ground. I don’t look up until we reach our room.

“You don’t need to worry about cheer practice,” Lacy says. “I’ll let you take a few days off before you get back to it.”

I unlock our room door, and almost trip over something on the floor. Fingers grab my arm, steading me as I sway.

“Are you okay?” Lacy lets go of me.

“I think so.” My attention dips to the giant bouquet of white flowers lying at my feet. I frown, bend down and search for a card but find nothing.

Lacy closes the door behind us. “Lilies? Really? And how the hell did someone get them in here? The door was locked. I bet they got security to help them.”

Lifting the bouquet, I carry it to my bed. “What’s wrong with them?”

“They remind me of the funeral home when my grandma died.” She shudders. “Those things were everywhere.”

“Maybe they’re from Miles?” Digging my phone out of a pocket, I shoot off a text.

Me: Thanks for the flowers :)How did you leave them in our room?

He answers immediately.

Miles: Flowers?

Me: The lilies.

Miles: They weren’t from me. Maybe you’ve got a secret admirer?

My darer? Could he feel guilty about what happened?

Finding his phone in my bag, I curl my fingers around it. “I’m going to have a bath.”

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