Page 78 of Little Psycho

Me and the guys met Delilah when we started going to the races; she was always with Five until he kicked her ass to the curb for stealing his car and crashing it one night.Even though she’s a hot piece of ass, she’s as fucking crazy, jealous, and spiteful as they come—which isn’t a cute combination.

She stands there with her hands on her hips and a snarl curling on her fake lips.Her jet black hair sits in a messy bun on top of her head, showing off the bright red hickeys she’s sporting on her neck.

“I saw you passing the T, and I decided to follow you.”She rolls her eyes, unable to tear her gaze away from the mural of Calista.“If you think this is some kind of love letter to her, you’re fucking delusional, Killian,” Delilah snaps, ignoring the weight of the emotion I had poured into my work.

The paint feels sticky on my fingers, but it’s a sensation I relish—the thrill of living in the moment, of expressing something I can’t quite articulate into words.

“It’s not like that,” I retort, keeping my voice steady, despite the feeling of heat creeping up my cheeks.

Delilah’s always had this way of drawing out my insecurities—a talent she showed me during our endless two-am encounters.To this day, I don’t regret fucking her, but I wish I was smarter about it.I wish I knew her more before sticking my dick inside her.I wish I knew how fucking crazy she was.

She steps closer, invading my space, her eyes flaring with jealousy and mischief.“Really?Because last I checked, you’re not the type to paint an ex-girlfriend unless you’re still hung up over her.”Her smirk is almost taunting, designed to get under my skin, and it’s fucking working.

“She was never my girlfriend, Delilah.Calista is way more than that—more than just an ex,” I spit back before I can stop myself.

The words spill out unfiltered, and I regret them instantly.It’s not something I want to explain to her—why I feel tied to Calista, why every brushstroke is more than just art.It’s a form of therapy for me and helps me deal with the pain of losing her because of what we did.

“Right, she’s a muse, right?Yourmuse,” Delilah snickers, crossing her arms.“You just keep latching onto the idea that she’s somehow going to swoop in and save you from your pathetic little world,” she says, her voice dripping with disdain.

‘There’s nothing pathetic about wanting to be around someone who gets me,” I counter, feeling my pulse quicken.

The tension in the air grows heavier, each beat of my heart echoing against the cold concrete walls, and I know I have to bite back.The last thing I need is to be all worked up and pissed when I’ll be seeing the others soon, possibly even Calista.

But instead of responding, I turn my back to her, focusing on the mural.Each stroke is a release, a deep breath that brings me closer to the feeling of freedom—freedom from Delilah’s snide remarks and the chaos that consumes my mind when I think about my father and everything that’s been suffocating me lately.

“Well, if you think she’s worth all this effort,” Delilah continues, this time softer, like she’s trying to gauge whether I’ll flinch at her words.“Just remember, it’s a long shot.You’re a nobody, Killian, and she’ll always be out of your league.”

My grip tightens around the can, and I can feel my teeth clenching.“You really don’t know shit about me, do you?”I hurl back without looking at her.

The paint sputters as I start to create sweeping lines that mimic the wind dancing through Calista’s long blonde hair.

“Then why the hell do you care so much?”she screeches.“She’s probably off flaunting her perfect life with someone who actually matters.”

“You’re fucking wrong.”I grit my teeth, trying to hold back from exploding.

She knows nothing of the life that Calista was dealt, nor the things we did to her.But there’s no use explaining it to her; all she’ll do is twist the story and make it something that it isn’t.Besides, I can’t do that to Calista.I’ve done enough.I can’t fucking do her dirty like this.

Delilah keeps nagging about her, pissing me off, and I can’t hold the frustration inside.I whirl around, letting the paint can slip out of my hand and clatter to the cement, frustration finally boiling over.

“You think if she fucking wanted that, she would have kept me around?”I snap.“She came back, Delilah, looking forsomething.”

Delilah’s smirk falters for a fraction of a second, the vain mask slipping, and I almost feel guilty for snapping at her.But the truth is, every word I said is more than just bravado; it’s a truth that rings clear to me every single day that I spend in the same city as Cali.So close, yet so far away from each other—until now.Now she’s back and within my reach, and for that, I don’t give a fuck what anyone has to say.

“Well, what did she come back for, Killian?”she sneers, her attitude heavily laced in her spiteful tone, as if she’s trying to get me to feel some type of way about it.

“None of your fucking business.Me and the guys have it under control,” I lie, wondering if she can hear the truth being bent as it slips from my lips.

“Whatever,” she huffs.“Where is she now?”Delilah asks, her tone slightly less prickly but still heavy with disbelief.

“Probably out doing something better than following me around in dirty tunnels,” I reply, taking a jab at her, anger simmering just beneath my skin.“And for what it’s fucking worth, stop acting like your life is so perfect.You’re just as fucking lost as the rest of us, D.”

“I’m not lost,” she retorts heatedly.“I’m figuring things out and having fun doing it.Maybe you should fucking try it instead of obsessing over some girl who doesn’t even look your fucking way.”

I don’t hit women..I don’t hit women...I don’t hit women...

The moment stretches, heavy like the autumn air filling the tunnel.I take a step back, suddenly weary of the battle we’re waging.My thoughts flicker to the upcoming race with the crew and how the adrenaline rush will silence the chaos, even if it’s just for the night.

“Maybe you should worry about something other than my shit or the shit I’m doing,” I bite, my voice finally steady but firm, filled with venom.“Do you need me to fuck the attitude out of you or something?Is that why you followed me?”I growl, feeling utterly drained from the constant back and forth.

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