Page 41 of Head Over Skates

"Okay, I don't want to sound ungrateful for you… almost killing someone for me tonight. But…"

"But? It's okay. Go ahead and spill it."

"I just don't want to… spend too much time with you."

I don't mention that being close to him all the time is confusing my female parts and also conflicting with my morals.

"Can I ask you something?" he asks, tilting his head to the side.

"I guess."

"Why do you hate me?"

"Well, hate is a strong word…"

"You hate me. I can tell by the way you look at me sometimes. The raw contempt. The names you call me. And all those blog posts. For the life of me, I can't figure out why."

"You hurt someone I care about, okay?"

That shut him up quickly. The look of confusion on his face, though.

"I… I…" he stammers.

"A dear friend. You cheated on her."

He shakes his head. "I've never cheated on anyone in my life. I would never do that."

"Oh, youwouldsay that. I don't expect you to pour out your confession."

"Who? Who would say that about me?"

"I'm not going to tell you her name. I respect her too much."

He takes a step back and rakes his fingers through that thick mop of hair. It flops into a glorious mess that just makes him more handsome. I hate that it makes me feel all gooey inside.

"Emily, I swear, I'd never cheat on a woman. I haven't even dated in over two years."

“Oh maybeyoudon’t call it dating, but the rest of the world does. Guys like you with a different girl in every town?—”

He cuts me off with a horrible wheezing noise, like he can’t breathe, and he bends over his knees, shaking. He’s in that stance for a while, sucking in air through his nose, pushing it out with a feral growl. I’m about to call for help, but then he straightens up. His eyes are closed, but he continues breathing like he's doing Lamaze or something.

"Are you… hyperventilating? Is it asthma?"

"No," he snaps, opening his eyes. "I just don't like being accused of things I didn't do."

I blink a few times, unsure of what to think. Maybe he's one of those guys who doesn't believe sleeping with multiple women is considered cheating?

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Please,” he says between breaths. “Go inside so I know you're safe and then I can go home." His tone is harsh and primitive. Not gonna lie, he’s a little scary looking right now. Maybe hedoesknow how to make someone disappear so no one would find them. Like that Robert DeNiro movie.

Without another word, I slip inside the building and go upstairs, utterly dismayed.

13

OWEN

“Is this going to be a regular thing?” Cyrus asks with cheeks covered in chocolate glaze.

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