Page 80 of Obsessed with my Temptation

“My own reasons.” We stopped somewhere at the other end of the house, where we couldn’t see Mark anymore. His long, light chestnut hair shifted, giving off the faint scent of shampoo, as he turned to me. “I thought your boyfriend would have told you.”

That struck a cord inside me. Somehow, someway, Henryknewabout Travis and me.

Only there was nousanymore.

“He’s not my boyfriend.”

I sounded pitiful even to my own ears. Some of my anger deflated at the reminder.

Henry watched me with what I thought was pity before sighing and squeezing my shoulder. “Did you come here with anyone?”

“I came—”

“Scott!Dude, where were you? We were looking around for you—Oh. Henry. It’s been a while.” Eliot stopped in front of us, eyeing Henry up and down, who still had an arm around me.

Said arm was what Antony looked at before staring at his old neighbor.

Henry froze as soon as their eyes met. What the fuck was that about?

“Henry,” Antony said.

“Andino.”

Was that…a wince? There was clear pain in Antony’s green eyes at the sound of his surname, but he hid it quickly as Henry turned his attention to Eliot. “I don’t remember inviting you here.”

“Scott goes anywhere he wants, and we go with him.”

Sliding his arm off my shoulders, Henry said, “Well, consider this your formal un-invitation. Get the fuck out.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I said so.” Henry looked at me and raised an eyebrow. “And you’ll do it if you know what’s good for you.”

I almost wanted to argue, because there was a newfound fire in my veins, but I didn’t. I didn’t even answer him.

I turned around and left, my best friends on my heels.

* * *

Out of the house and already on the street, we started making our way back to the dorms. I felt about to burst out of my own skin, like the still chilly night air couldn’t even begin to cool the restless energy coursing through me. I was, quite honestly, on the very edge.

Why did I have to be like this? Why couldn’t I just be shameless, confident, not care about what people thought about me?

Why couldn’t I go to Travis and tell him that I loved him?

“Care to explain what happened in there?” Eliot asked, and I just…

I blew up.

“I’m justsofucking tired!God.” I put my hands on my face, wishing to be able to stop thinking for just one second.

“You don’t look okay, man,” Antony said beside me.

I exhaled roughly and turned around, walking in a circle, running a hand through my hair.

“I’m not. I’m fucking not.”

“We’re here for you, Scott. If you want to shout or something, you can, but if you want to talk, about Travis or about anything else, you know we’re going to listen.”

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