Page 89 of Tormented Kings

He moans my name, snapping me back to reality.

What am I doing? This can’t be happening. No. Not right now. Not to him. I’m too fucked up in the head. He deserves better. They both do. I’m toxic; I’ll poison any light they have created inside me.

I pull away, chest heaving as I stare at him with wild eyes.

His eyes flutter open, blinking up at me with flushed cheeks and swollen lips. He looks fucking gorgeous, but then I do what I always do and fuck everything up.

“This was a mistake.”

His face falls. “W–what?”

I stand, shaking my head as I run my hands through my hair. I wish he could be mine, but that’s not reality. I want him more than anything, but I’ll only end up ruining him. I want to make him happy, but what if all I do is bring him pain? I’m not worthy. I don't deserve him. I don’t deserve to be anyone. I destroy everything I touch. There are too many thoughts swimming around inside my head, and it’s making me spiral.

When I look back at Dec, the devastation on his face confirms every bad thought and will forever be burned into my soul. I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“I need to go.” I turn around and stumble into the backyard, my heart fucking shattering as I go.

“Preston!” he calls out, voice full of agony, but I ignore him and keep walking, lumbering my way through the backyard as the world around me sways.

“Preston!” he shouts, but this time with more anger.

The sounds around me muddle my brain. It’s all too much, too loud.

Someone grabs my shoulder, whipping me around.

I only manage to catch Declan’s angry, devastated face before his fist comes flying towards my face.

I stagger back, pain splintering across my cheek. Tripping over my feet, I fall onto my ass. Declan jumps on top of me, letting out a pained sound as he hits me again.

That’s it, baby, hit me. Make it hurt. I deserve it. I deserve it all.

Sadie

I’m dripping with sweat after only dancing for a bit, so I tell Emma, “Hey, I could use some air.”

“Yeah, same.” She nods her head and looks behind her, where Brent has been dancing. “Wanna go outside?”

He nods, and we all make our way through the crowd and out to the backyard.

We hear “Fight, fight, fight” being chanted as soon as we step outside.

“What the hell?” Emma mutters. “Of course, some assholes would be fighting. Can’t even enjoy a Halloween party.”

We follow the chanting, pushing our way through the little circle that’s formed.

But when I see who is fighting, my stomach drops. “Fuck you!” Declan spits, swinging his fist down and hitting Preston in the face. “I fucking hate you!”

“Stop!” I shout, jumping forward, but Emma holds me back. Preston isn’t even hitting Declan back. He just lays there, letting Declan kick his ass. “Let me go.” I glare at my best friend, and she does. “Declan! Declan, stop!”

I pull him off, his chest heaving, eyes wild. He stumbles to his feet, and I go to reach for him, but he flinches away. “You're pathetic. Nothing but excuses. Be a fucking man, Preston!” he sneers before spinning around and taking off.

I’m so confused, so pissed off. “What the fuck was that?!” I yell down at Preston. He grunts, rolling over and getting to his feet.

“Nothing,” he mutters, wiping the blood off his face. “Nothing I didn’t deserve.”

“What did you do?” I ask in a low, angry voice as I get in his face.

He gives me a bloody grin. “I fucked up. Like I always do. It’s what I do best, Kitten.” He laughs before backing up and taking off away from the house.

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