Page 208 of Collided

“You don’t trust me,” he says harshly.

“That’s not true.”

I trust him, but not enough to talk about my family.

He arches an eyebrow “Isn’t it? You hide things from me—”

“I don’t know about your family. You never talk about them.”

Heath’s jaw flexes in response. I’ve hit the mark with those words. He knows I’m right, just as I am.

With a scoff, he replies, “I don’t talk about them because I don’t want to.”

I gulp hard. The air is dense between us due to tension.

“And I don’t talk because I can’t.”

“You keep saying that Hope. I’m fucking sick of it.”

I look at him with tears burning my eyes. “I’m sick of it too. But sometimes you have to risk something to keep someone.”

Heath stares at me for what feels like hours when in reality it’s only been minutes.

I watch the sun set in his eyes and I watch the dusk arrive the same.

I could look away. I should. But I don’t. Because in his eyes I find all I’ve been searching for.

A shift in air happens when he moves forward and cups the side of my neck. Gently, he pulls me to him. I go without astruggle. Pressing his forehead against mine he says, “You think I don’t see the marks on you, but I do.”

His hand takes mine, and he pushes up my sleeve revealing the bruises. “I know your arm hurts. I’ve been watching you all day. I only wished you’d tell me about it yourself.”

“It hurts a lot.”

His eyes soften, the anger from earlier dissipating a little. “Is there a bruise there?”

I nod.

“Did you take medicine?”

I shake my head.

“What the fuck am I supposed to do with you?”

“Don’t leave me.” I pause. “I don’t want to lose you.Not you.”

“Iwon’tleave you. All I ever really think about since I’ve met you isyou, Rose. I think about you all the fucking time. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking or not, you are there. Silence in my alone moments, or chaos in my mental breakdowns. In the middle of it all, you are there. You are always there.”

“You are there too, in my chaos and silence. You’re always there. Right in the middle of it.”

His expressions turn serious. “You can trust me with anything.Anything. Whatever’s going on that's causing you pain, I’ll end it. I promise you. Just tell me. Talk to me.”

“He’s stronger than you,” I whisper.

Realization sinks in until it’s too late. I just told Heath. I gave him a hint.

I search his eyes and sure enough he’s trying to piece it together.

His lips thin. “It’s a man.”

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